KTR in Telangana has scope to accommodate Vidarbha’s problematic tigers: Report

By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) of Telangana has potential to accommodate the increasing tiger population of Maharashtra specially the problematic individual tigers of Vidarbha which should be shifted there, stated Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The MoEF&CC made the claim in its report ‘Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India 2022’, recently. “Tigers from Maharashtra should accommodated by following the protocols set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA),” the Ministry stated. As per the report, “Tadoba-NNTR-Bor-Indravati-Kawal tiger population block has demonstrated remarkable recovery, compared to the countrywide estimation in 2018. This particular block currently has 319 tigers within an area of 11,400 sqkm. In this block, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR), and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) are in Vidarbha region that have highest density of tigers. Whereas Indravati Tiger Reserve is in Chhattisgarh and Kawal Tiger Reserve is in Telangana.” The Ministry report also stated, “Kawal Tiger Reserve, Adilabad forest circle Chennur and Kagaznagar forest circles have low density of tigers. Therefore, it can accommodate the increased tiger population of Maharashtra if ungulate recovery and improved protection measures are achieved.”

The report also stated, “The corridor connecting these two tiger areas face threats from anthropogenic pressures such as mining activities and the expansion of road and rail networks.” To address these challenges, it is necessary to implement wildlife-friendly and permeable infrastructure to facilitate safe wildlife movement, it stated further. While mentioning about the Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWLS) and NNTR, the report mentioned, “UPKWLS and NNTR require restorative efforts to enhance prey availability. There has been need to focus on increasing the protection and conservation of corridors around both tiger reserves.” The tiger density in the UPKWLS has decreased since National Tiger Estimation Cycle 2018. As per the latest tiger estimate report, the Sanctuary has only 5 tigers. Whereas, in NNTR there are 11 tigers. It has posted increase in tigers as compared to the number mentioned in the previous census. In a recent development, Government of Maharashtra has approved translocation of five tigers from the Brahmapuri Forest Division, and two tigresses have already been translocated in May 2023 under the first phase of the initiative.

The report also mentioned, “To curb man-tiger conflict around NNTR, active management initiatives including supplementation of prey, improved law enforcement monitoring, and sensitisation of adjoining forest dwelling communities are solicited.” While mentioning about the block, the report stated, “This block in Maharashtra witnesses highest human-tiger conflicts, with instances of livestock predation and attacks on humans. To ensure the long term survival of tigers in this landscape, it is crucial to restore wild ungulate availability in forest areas.” The report also mentioned that TATR acts as source population of tigers in Central India, and continues to supplement tiger population to adjoining forest divisions. TATR facilitated through the forests of Gadchiroli and Allapali divisions. However, several forest grids in this area remain unsampled due to left-wing extremism, the report revealed.