Tiger Survey On in 9,000 Sq Km of AP Forests Amid Challenges in Phase 3

Vijayawada: The third phase of the All India Tiger Estimate-2026 is progressing in a brisk manner, covering nearly 9,000 sq-km area including 6,000 sq-km in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh.

The process, however, is facing challenges of theft of cameras, the setting up of snares and lighting of forest fires, but would continue up to May end.

The foresters started the phase-3 of tiger estimate from January 3, covering other tiger reserves also in addition to NSTR. In possession of nearly 2,500 trap cameras, they are installing them block-wise in three blocks. Through the installation and trapping of movements of tigers and other wildlife for about 40 days, they would collect data, save and store them for subsequent analysis and shift the cameras to the next block, and continue the same practice until completion of the third block.

As per the 2024 assessment, the region’s tiger population totals 87 including 11 cubs.

The authorities are hopeful of a rise in the numbers. However, they are suspicious of the chance of migration of tigers to Telangana’s forests or death of adult tigers and cubs even though they are not officially recorded -- except for the death of a two-year old tigress in a road accident on NH-565 near Badal Vagu area of Mutkur reserve forest in Markapuram division of Project Tiger on December 23.

The forest authorities have taken the help of international NGOs like WWF and WGS for technical assistance for installation of camera traps in strategic locations and also provided training to nearly 800 persons including forest staff and protection watchers to take up an estimate of tigers.

They are not allowing lower level staff members to read the memory card, as there were bad practices in the past, wherein some portions of data showing tigers trapped in snares were deleted “to avoid any penal action on the staff members.”

They are also facing the trouble of lifting fixed camera traps by the cattle grazers, poachers and other anti-social elements. They have to be extra careful against such lifting.

Foresters have not allowed students and volunteers to assist them in taking up the tiger estimate. It may help them find out the presence of tigers with geo-coordinates and there are chances of leaking such information to anti-social elements, who could set up snares and do poaching, causing trouble to the tiger population.

They are also collecting matchboxes from cattle grazers who start a fire for heat on cold nights – which is one cause for forest fires.

AP’s nodal officer for the all-India Tiger Estimate-2026, B Vijay Kumar, said, “We are taking up the tiger estimate in a proper manner as per norms. We are hopeful of a rise in tiger population. In case of any dip, we have to find out details and take appropriate action to protect them.”

Meanwhile, five to six lakh devotees are expected to pass through the forest covering the Venkatapuram-Pecheru-Kailasha Dwaram stretch to mark Maha Shivaratri festival on February 15. The foresters are permitting them only from February 8 to 15.

Atmakur area’s Project Tiger deputy director Vignesh Appavu said, “We will frisk all those entering the forest area at Venkatapuram to ensure they would hot carry with them single- use plastic bottles, glasses and plates, liquor bottles, matchboxes etc for conservation and protection of forests. Any violation would lead to stern action.