The experts, who refer to them as ‘Urban Tigers’, attribute their migration not just to shrinking forest lands, but more on account of the rise in their numbers in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Thippeshwar Tiger Reserve in the bordering state of Maharashtra
Migrant tigers moving into semi-urban areas in Old Adilabad district of Telangana, about 300 kms north of the capital Hyderabad, is a fresh source of worry for conservation and wildlife experts.
The tiger habitat is badly in need of more area to accommodate these tigers that are moving into the district from Maharashtra
The experts, who have dubbed them as ‘Urban Tigers’, attribute their migration not merely due to shrinking forest lands, but more on account of rise in their numbers in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Thippeshwar Tiger Reserve in the bordering state of Maharashtra. Nagpur in Maharashtra is just 196 kms away from Adilabad
Experts say shrinking territorial spaces is the primary reason why the big cats are staking out new areas in semi-urban and urban areas, mainly for the purpose of mating and raising their own family. It also happens as a result of infighting among tigers over territorial dominance.
Migrant tigers are making urban areas or residential areas with shrubs their permanent habitat around the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power station, which includes a residential area, on the outskirts of Chandrapur town.
A similar situation prevails in the Old Adilabad district, where many tigers have migrated to the Kagaznagar forest division on the state borders from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra). These tigers are moving closer to human habitations, residential areas and towns.
Migrant tigers are making urban areas or residential areas with shrubs their permanent habitat around the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power station, which includes a residential area, on the outskirts of Chandrapur town.
A tiger was sighted around a hillock formed out of dumps of coal ash from the opencast mines. The area now looks like a small forest with shrubs. Experts says the behaviour of tigers born and brought up in the shrubs close to residential areas would be different.from those in the jungles.
Locals in the Jainad mandal recently sighted a migrant tiger from Thippeshwar Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) moving and crossing the main roads. Inhabitants of Bejjur, Penchikalpet, and Chithalapanepalli are frequently sighting tigers too
Tiger movement was also noticed near the Ryalighadpur area near Mancherial town as well as on the outskirts of Mandamarri and Nennel areas in the past.
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