Tigress sparks hope as it moves between Kawal core and Luxettipet range

The adult tigress had migrated from Maharashtra a few months ago, crossing the Kumram Bheem Asifabad district before settling in the Luxettipet forests. Its movements are being tracked through camera traps

Mancherial: Despite persistent challenges, a female tiger is moving between the core of Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) and the Luxettipet range, bringing cheer to forest officials and wildlife enthusiasts.

The adult tigress had migrated from Maharashtra a few months ago, crossing the Kumram Bheem Asifabad district before settling in the Luxettipet forests. Its movements are being tracked through camera traps installed by the Forest Department, and it has been preying on cattle at regular intervals.

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“In recent times, the tiger has been frequently entering Kawal, supposedly in search of territory. However, rampant encroachment and tree felling are causing disturbances, forcing it back to Luxettipet. If the core becomes peaceful, it might stay, ending the long wait for the arrival of a big cat,” an official said.

Declared a tiger reserve in 2012, Kawal’s core zone covers 893 sq km, with a buffer zone of 1,120 sq km across Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal and Mancherial districts. But the reserve has struggled to attract and retain tigers, largely due to encroachments and large-scale teak smuggling.

On Saturday night, 26 persons from Kumram Bheem Asifabad district were arrested by Jannaram division forest officials for encroaching into the core of Kawal Tiger Reserve by erecting huts and felling trees in Indanapalli range. The accused were from Lingapur, Sirpur (U) and Narnoor mandals.

The severe dearth of tigers has already prompted the Telangana Forest Department to propose the translocation of big cats from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra. A proposal seeking clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was submitted in June.

Officials have requested five tigers, including at least one tigress, preferably above two years of age, as such animals are more likely to adapt and live independently. An NTCA team is expected to tour the reserve soon to assess habitat conditions.