The death of three tigers in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district in the last few days has sent shockwaves across the country. Two carcasses have already been found. Both the tigers belong to the same family. One of the dead tiger is male (father). Its code is S9, as per the officials of the Tiger Conservation Center. Another is sub-adult tiger. The code is S15. The other three cubs, S16, 17 and 18, are still missing. Forest officials confirmed the death of one of them on the basis of trap cameras. Ten separate teams of 70 forest, tiger reserve and expert personnel have been combing the forests along the Penganga-Pranahita River on the Telangana-Maharashtra border for the past 7 days.
The cinematic story built by local forest officers about the mysterious death of tigers that ‘adventurous tigers fighting for their territorial supremacy, and one of them dies’, is now taking a new turn. If National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had not taken the issue seriously, this story would have ended as a suspense thriller. As the pressure on the local forest department officials increased, the investigation speeded up. The real reasons are coming out.
What is the reason behind the poisoning?
Officials said four tribals were suspected to be behind the death of three tigers in the Darigam range of Kagaznagar forest division. The two were arrested from Sarkepalli area of neighboring Vankidi mandal of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district. Officials from the forest and police departments as well as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) are questioning the accused. The officials suspect that the tigers died after eating the carcass of a cow. The four were arrested on the basis of CCTV footage and trap camera footage.
As soon as the tiger carcass (S9) was found, the forest department officials suspected a territorial fight between two tigers. They told the media that one of the tiger died due to a border fight. Another injured tiger was missing. Meanwhile, second carcass was found within two days. One of them was found with a noose around its neck. Then the explanation given by the authorities has raised many doubts. Founding of two carcasses within 200 meters rang of Kagaznagar forest even during the days of the anti-poaching drive exposed the negligence of the local authorities.
Anyhow, the post mortem report revealed the issue of poisoning. The National Tiger Conservation Authority became serious after the death of two tigers in a row. Special teams fielded to investigate the suspicious deaths. The real reasons are coming out as the investigation begins.
Fear of tigers in tribal villages, Foresters blamed
It seems that the tribals of nearby village poured the poison on the carcass of the cow hunted by the tigers. Tribals also revealed about the incident in a forest and police department investigation. After pouring the poison on the carcass of cow, they hid in the bushes and waited for the arrival of the tigers. According to officials, the video was shot while the tigers were eating cow meat. The police have seized the video footage. Now, officials to find the reason that why did the accused commit this heinous crime?
It is understood that the tribals committed the crime to protect their cattle. In recent times, the movement of tigers in the Kagaznagar forest area has increased significantly. They hunt cows, goats and sheep belonging to the local tribes. As it is a thick forest, there is a tiger reserve in the nearby Kawwal sanctuary in Adilabad district. Also, Tadoba sanctuary is located in neighboring Maharashtra. However, the tigers that roam between Maharashtra and Telangana are mostly settled in the Kagaznagar division. Due to the availability of plenty of drinking water and dense forest area, it is safe for tigers even in summer. It is estimated that there are about 14 tigers in the area. However, there are suspicions that the tigers are not getting proper food in this forest area. Due to the decrease in the number of animals in these forests, the tigers are not getting food. Therefore, they go to nearby villages and hunt domestic animals like cows, bullocks and goats.
Spending crores in the name of tiger conservation
Central and state governments are spending crores of rupees on tiger conservation. It is the responsibility of the local authorities to release non-vegetarian animals like deer and moose into the forests for tiger’s food. The money is being spent but the tigers are not getting proper food. Forest staff and special teams should have kept an eye on the movements of tigers. Tracking should be carried out through trap cameras. In Asifabad area alone, about 220 staff members are working for the protection of tigers. However, it is suspected that the incident took place due to negligence of the staff.
Loss of the cattle is the main reason for the poisoning that accused revealed in the custody of the authorities. It is true that they are often fed up with their cattle being hunted by tigers. However, the tribals who have lost their cattle in tiger attacks will get compensation from the central government. But due to the negligence of the local officials, the victims are not getting compensation properly. The villagers complained to the forest department officials, but no action was taken. Usually, local tribals who are losing their cattle say that the forest department officials are at fault.
Tiger Reserve project is still pending
A tiger conservation project has been proposed to increase the number of big cats in Asifabad district. But it's not working out due to the negligence of higher authority. As per the proposal, the Kadamba forest area should be declared as a special zone and steps should be taken to protect the tigers. In addition, green grasslands should be established to increase the number of herbivorous animals in the forest area. Drinking water sources should be ensured in the forest zone. Focus should be on issues like conservation of big cats as well as reproductive facilities. A special task force with trained wildlife experts should be formed for this purpose. However, the project was not implemented due to lack of funds from the government.
Highest tiger deaths in Maharashtra border:
According to official data, 177 tigers died in the country in 2023. India is now home to more than 70% of the world's wild tigers. As per latest figures- country has a minimum of 3167 tigers. Maharashtra registered maximum tiger deaths at 45. Followed by Madhya Pradesh at 40, Uttarakhand at 20, Tamil Nadu at 15 and Kerala at 14. In addition, 54 % of tiger deaths have taken place outside tiger reserve. As per the data of Environment Ministry - 40 % of tiger deaths in 2023 are composed of cubs and sub-adults.
In Telangana no deaths of wild animals particularly tigers were recorded. But tigers are dying in the neighboring Maharashtra. Recently, the death of three tigers in Kagaznagar forest area on the border of two states has become a mystery.
