Tiger sightings surge in Adilabad region, farmers gripped by fear

Officials suspect the big cat may have entered Telangana from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.

By Santosh Padala

Adilabad: Tiger movement has increased in the erstwhile Adilabad district, triggering panic among locals, particularly farmers who have begun agricultural operations with the onset of the monsoon.

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A young tiger, believed to have migrated from Maharashtra in search of territory, has been moving through the forests of Nirmal district’s Sarangapur mandal and Boath in Adilabad district over the past few days. According to forest officials, the big cat has killed two cattle, including a calf, in the forests of Boath before straying into Sarangapur, and has since returned to the wild areas of Boath.

Similarly, pugmarks of another tiger were recorded in the forests near Gadapalally village in Tiryani mandal on Wednesday. The same tiger was reportedly sighted on Tuesday near the opencast mining project of SCCL at Khairiguda and Rautasankepalli villages. Officials suspect it may have entered Telangana from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.

The increased presence of tigers has become a major concern for villagers, especially ryots engaged in sowing paddy, cotton, jowar, soya, and other crops. Tigers along the forest fringes and even in agricultural fields have left both villagers and farmers in a state of fear.

Forest officials said they are focusing on raising awareness among locals to avoid human-animal conflict. Loudspeaker announcements are being made in villages, and residents have been advised to move in groups and avoid sudden encounters with tigers in forested areas.

The department also urged people not to harm the animals, assuring that compensation would be promptly paid for any cattle killed by the tigers. Special tracking teams have been formed to monitor tiger movement, and officials stated that steps are being taken to protect the animals, particularly in light of a recent incident in which a tiger was electrocuted in Yellur village of Penchikalpet mandal.