Tiger Sighting Triggers Evacuation of Devotees From Ramadurgam Hill Temple
Rampachodavaram DFO G. Siva Kumar said, “Our personnel evacuated the devotees from the hill top as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.”
Vijayawada:Forest officials evacuated nearly 50 devotees to safety from the Lord Rama temple atop Ramadurgam Hill at Devipatnam mandal of newly formed Polavaram district on Wednesday after a tiger was spotted in the surrounding forest area.
The devotees, hailing from Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada and nearby regions, had gathered early in the morning to offer special prayers on the occasion of the full moon. Acting swiftly, forest personnel reached the hilltop, informed the devotees about the tiger’s movement, and advised them to leave immediately as a precaution. All were escorted down safely without any incident.
Officials said the tiger has been roaming within Papikonda National Park for the past 40 days and has not attacked humans so far, though it has occasionally ventured into nearby habitations in search of prey.
Rampachodavaram DFO G. Siva Kumar said, “Our personnel evacuated the devotees from the hill top as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.”
Authorities are closely monitoring its movement and have initiated efforts to capture and relocate it to a zoo in Visakhapatnam, as per existing orders.
Residents in forest fringe areas, particularly near Purushottapatnam in East Godavari district, have been advised to remain alert and avoid venturing into forest zones.