Tiger Sightings in Adilabad Trigger Panic Among Farmers
Leopards, too, have been seen near villages across the former Adilabad district. A leopard was recently spotted in Gandi Rampur village, Kadam mandal, prompting forest officials to alert neighbouring communities. Officials note that it is leopard mating season, during which these big cats often roam closer to human habitation.
Adilabad: Tiger movements at three locations in the erstwhile Adilabad district have sparked panic among farmers and disrupted agricultural activities. Forest officials report that tigers from Maharashtra are entering Adilabad in search of new habitat or territory. As a result, farmers and agricultural laborers are avoiding fields in the affected areas.
Residents of Bheempur and Kinwat, along the Telangana-Maharashtra border, are also being warned to stay alert when foraging for the locally known “Boda Kakarakayalu” (spine gourd) in the early hours. In Venkatapur village, Mancherial district, forest staff confirmed a tiger killed a grazing calf four days ago; pug marks collected at the site verified the attack. Calf owner Rajalingu said villagers are too frightened to tend their fields.
Bellampalli forest range officer Purnachander said camera traps have been set up between Tiryani and the outskirts of Bellampalli to monitor a tiger moving through those forests. The forest department will compensate farmers whose livestock have been lost to tiger attacks and has urged locals not to enter deep forest areas or agricultural fields before sunrise or after sunset.
A tiger was also sighted in Boath Assembly Constituency, bordering Maharashtra, likely having migrated from the Tipeshwar Tiger Reserve. Sightings occurred between Raghunathpur and Narayanpur villages. Meanwhile, Adilabad FRO Gulab Singh confirmed tiger tracks near Mangi in Ghatanji taluk, on the opposite bank of the Penganga River, and warned border-area villagers to remain vigilant.
Leopards, too, have been seen near villages across the former Adilabad district. A leopard was recently spotted in Gandi Rampur village, Kadam mandal, prompting forest officials to alert neighbouring communities. Officials note that it is leopard mating season, during which these big cats often roam closer to human habitation.
