News Excerpt:

Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) concluded a security audit in Kawal Tiger reserve.

About the security audit:

• An NTCA team visited a plantation taken up by the forest department at Itukyalpahad in Sirpur (T) Forest Range in Kaghaznagar division.
  • And to enhance security measures to prevent deaths of tigers caused by electrical lines laid in certain parts of the reserve.
  • They learnt about the area of the division, entry points of tigers from Maharashtra, conservation measures, etc. 
  • They expressed satisfaction over sustained efforts to conserve tigers in the corridor.
  • They told the Forest officials to extend compensation to owners of cattle killed by tigers without delay, to step up tracking of the tigers and to ensure security of the tigers dwelling in the wild. 
  • They asked the officials to create water facilities for the tigers to avoid human- tiger conflict in human habitation in the summer season.
  • The team emphasized on timely release of funds from both State and Centre for effective conservation of the tigers, 
  • The team also suggested enhancing mitigating measures in the wake of creation of developmental projects such as highways and railway lines.
    • And to enhance security measures to prevent deaths of tigers caused by electrical lines laid in certain parts of the reserve.

Kawal Tiger Reserve:

• Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in the North Eastern part of Telangana (Old Adilabad district) having Godavari river on one side and Maharashtra border on other side. 
• Govt of India declared Kawal wildlife sanctuary as Tiger Reserve in 2012.
• It is well known for its abundant flora and fauna. 
• This sanctuary is a catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
• Total Area: 2015.44 Sq Km out of which core Area is 893 Sq.Km. 
• It is a central Indian Tiger Landscape which has southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.