Tiger sighting triggers panic in villages in Asifabad

Sources said the tiger was seen crossing the road connecting Sulugupalli in Bejjur mandal and Lodpalli villages and at a wooden structure of a deity called Golladevara

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The sighting of a tiger in the forest fringe at Lodpalli and Kondapalli villages in Penchikalpet mandal created panic among the residents and road users. A photograph of the big cat went viral on social media platforms on Sunday.

Sources said the tiger was seen crossing the road connecting Sulugupalli in Bejjur mandal and Lodpalli villages and at a wooden structure of a deity called Golladevara. A motorist who was passing through the stretch clicked a photograph of the tiger and circulated it on WhatsApp groups.

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The residents of Kondapalli, Lodpalli and surrounding forest fringe villages are living in the grip of fear. Farmers said they were hesitant to go to their fields to protect their crops at night. They requested the forest department officials to take steps to drive away the solitary animal to the forest. They said the tiger was entering their agriculture fields too.

Forest authorities said the tiger was moving the forests in search of prey. They advised the public not to provoke the majestic animal and to avoid confrontation with it, besides not going into deep forests. They requested farmers not to set electrified fences to prevent wild boars damaging crops which may prove fatal for the tiger.

The authorities stated that they were creating awareness among the rural folks over the need to protect the big cat. They opined that the tigers would play a vital role in natural culling of wild boars which cause losses to farmers by damaging standing maize, paddy and jowar crops. They cautioned that stern action would be taken against poachers if wild animals are hunted.

It may be noted that carnivores from Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve in Maharashta continued to migrate to the forests of Kaghaznagar forest division owing to prey base and safety. They tend to make the forests of this region their homes.

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