Tiger movement near Polavaram forests under watch, says Pawan Kalyan

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and forest minister Pawan Kalyan has directed forest officials to maintain continuous surveillance over tiger movement in forest areas near Polavaram district and intensify monitoring in villages along the forest fringe.The directions came during a review meeting held after a tiger reportedly attacked cattle sheds in Chikilinta panchayat limits near the forest boundary on Wednesday night, killing nine calves.Forest officials informed the deputy chief minister that tiger movement had been detected in the Thimmapuram Reserve Forest and that the animal was moving within forest areas while occasionally approaching nearby villages. Officials said the cattle shed targeted in the attack was located in an oil palm plantation around 300 metres from the forest boundary.Expressing concern over the loss of livestock, Pawan Kalyan instructed officials to ensure that field staff remain on constant alert and regularly update residents of nearby villages about tiger movement to prevent harm to people and cattle.He directed authorities to deploy and, if necessary, strengthen ‘Hanuman’ response teams for round-the-clock monitoring in villages near the affected forest areas. The forest minister also asked senior officials to personally supervise operations and consider sending senior officers from the department headquarters to the field if required.Officials were told to use advanced technology to track the tiger’s movement while ensuring that all measures remain in line with wildlife conservation norms.The deputy chief minister further directed the forest department to conduct awareness programmes in villages near the affected forest areas and advise residents against venturing into forests unnecessarily or tethering livestock close to forest boundaries.He stressed that officials should deal sensitively with villagers facing difficulties due to wildlife movement and respond promptly to complaints and information from residents.According to officials, interim compensation has already been provided to affected farmers for the cattle deaths, while full compensation will be processed after veterinary reports are received.