Movement of tiger triggers panic among villagers in Asifabad

Forest officials recorded pugmarks of a tiger on the riverbed of a stream at Gontlapet village.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Movement of a tiger created panic among residents of several villages in Penchikalpet mandal on Thursday.

Forest officials recorded pugmarks of a tiger on the riverbed of a stream at Gontlapet village. They said that a tiger was wandering in the forests of Penchikalpet forest range in search of territory for the past few days. They urged farmers not to harm the tiger by setting electrified fences meant for protecting crops from damage by wildlife.

---

The officials told the residents to be cautious of the tiger. They were creating awareness among the villagers by conducting meetings and announcements. They asked farmers not to enter farms till 10 am. They advised them to move in groups while taking farm activities. They requested the residents of forest fringe villages not to enter forests for firewood and other needs.

However, the movement of the tiger sparked panic among residents of Gontlapet, Erragunta, Bombayiguda, Pothepalli, Lodpalli, Kondapalli, Jaihindpur, Darogapalli, Agarguda and Ellur. The villagers slowed down harvesting of the cotton produce following the movement of the tiger. They urged the forest officials to take steps to prevent human loss.

On November 29, Morle Laxmi (21) was mauled to death by a migrant tiger from Maharashtra while she was engaged in harvesting the cotton crop at Easgaon of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district. The same tiger was suspected to have attacked Rauthu Suresh at Dubbagudem on November 30.