The Telangana Forest department has proposed arming frontline personnel with weapons and ammunition amid rising forest encroachments and attacks on staff. A Rs. 4,095-crore proposal is under consideration, while the government has also approved recruitment of 1,516 personnel
Encroachment of forest lands in Kawal Tiger Reserve has reached alarming levels. Forest officials warn that both tribal and non-local encroachments are endangering tiger habitats, especially in core zones like Palaghori. Arrests have been made, and authorities are considering stricter legal action to stem the crisis.
Residents of Manala village in Rajanna-Sircilla district staged a protest against alleged deforestation and land encroachment, accusing forest officials of colluding with unknown persons. The villagers claimed that thousands of acres of Eucalyptus plantations were cleared and borewells dug with official support.
Guthikoya tribal families in Kothagudem voluntarily vacated a forest habitation in Mamidigudem, reclaiming nearly 75 acres of land. The relocation was achieved peacefully, without police involvement or use of force, following a year of awareness campaigns by the forest department.
