Latest news with #RohitGopidi
Time of India
01-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Telangana's Amarabad sees more Tigers, yet faces grazing, encroachment, and staff shortage
Amarabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana faces escalating threats from illegal cattle grazing. HYDERABAD: Amarabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana, despite steady growth in tiger numbers, is under increasing pressure. Grazing by cattle through illegal penning is reducing prey availability for tigers. Fishing nets laid in rivers are blocking tiger movement, limiting access to adjoining areas and affecting their territorial spread. The reserve is also operating with 52% staff vacancies. While Chenchu community members are engaged as trackers, there is a need to appoint and train them as forest beat officers to fill critical frontline roles. According to Nagarkurnool District Forest Officer Rohit Gopidi, the reserve faces multiple and serious conservation threats. "The biggest concern is cattle penning," he said. Pastoral communities from Mahbubnagar and nearby areas are bringing large herds into the forest for fodder and often camp there for two to three months. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad This has led to intense grazing, especially in Madhyamadugu, which is home to nine tigers and considered a high-density zone. The department has directed herders not to stay overnight, fearing potential conflict if cattle are lost to tigers, which could trigger retaliatory poisoning. However, both local and non-local graziers continue to enter in large numbers and camp overnight. The second major issue is illegal fishing in the Krishna River, which flows for 250 km through the reserve and connects it to the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh . "We are able to control about 70 km of the river stretch, but nets laid in the rest of the river are disrupting tiger movement," Gopidi said. The nets obstruct the tigers' ability to cross the river. Encroachment, Infrastructure Gaps, and Prey Pressure Encroachment remains another persistent problem. Of the 2.89 lakh acres (2,895 sq km) that make up Amarabad Tiger Reserve—including 2,611 sq km of core area and 275 sq km of corridors—around 10,000 acres have been encroached, particularly in Kolhapur and parts of Amarabad, often under the pretext of Podu cultivation. Staff shortages have further weakened field operations. "There is a 52% vacancy in forest staff, especially among beat officers," said Gopidi. Recruitment criteria, including tests in English and Hindi, are proving a barrier for local aspirants, leading many new appointees to leave soon after joining. Foresters say promoting Chenchus—currently employed as watchers and trackers—to beat officer roles. "They know the terrain and wildlife better than anyone. Promoting them would not only help fill posts but also address their longstanding grievances over lack of growth," said a forest official. Only 29 base camps are operational, whereas at least 50 are needed for effective patrolling across the vast terrain. The reserve is also struggling with uneven prey density. While zones such as Lingala and Mannanur report healthy prey numbers, other areas remain deficient. The department is working on creating prey enclaves and restoring prey bases in underpopulated zones.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Foresters elated as more tigers roar at Amrabad
HYDERABAD: The Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) has recorded a rise in its tiger population from 33 to 36 in the 2024–25 Phase IV Monitoring exercise. Though modest, the increase is underpinned by deeper indicators: more adult tigers, more breeding females and signs of long-term stability. The Forest department, which conducted the monitoring between December 2024 and May 2025, used 1,594 camera traps across 797 grid points following National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols. Dividing the reserve into four spatial blocks, officials ensured systematic data collection through both direct sightings and indirect signs such as pugmarks and scats. Amrabad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rohit Gopidi told TNIE that the numbers reflect five years of uninterrupted protection and zero poaching. 'You don't need to do much if you simply protect tigers from being killed. Conservation is about patience. What we're seeing now is the result of consistent effort,' he added. Adult tiger numbers rose from 26 to 34, and breeding females from 15 to 20. While the number of recorded cubs dropped from seven to two, Gopidi said this was part of the natural reproductive cycle. 'Most breeding females had cubs last year. Tigers don't breed again until the cubs mature, usually after two years. What matters is we've hit a key threshold of 20 breeding females,' he said. Actual numbers could be higher: DFO Just days after the monitoring period ended, officials spotted another tigress with three cubs, raising hopes for a strong birth cycle ahead. Gopidi expects 10–11 tigresses to breed this year. Each camera trap, placed roughly every 2 square kilometres, ran for 30 days before being rotated, allowing for photo-identification of individual tigers. 'This is not an estimate, it's a confirmed minimum count. Actual numbers could be higher,' Gopidi noted. Much of the success, the DFO said, comes from the ground. ATR currently has two anti-poaching camps with five squads each, aided by 25 full-time trackers stationed deep in the forest. 'Trained trackers, routine patrolling and local engagement have helped ensure zero poaching in recent years,' he added.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Amrabad now has 36 tigers
Tiger population in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is showing encouraging growth as revealed by the latest estimates. Phase IV of the Tiger Monitoring exercise for the year 2024-25 has shown an increase of three tigers in the protected sanctuary. The Phase-IV monitoring for the previous year estimated the tiger population at 33, while the latest one counted 36. Of these, 13 are males and 20, females, besides two cubs and one unidentified tiger. The previous year's estimate counted 11 males, 15 females and seven cubs. The number of adult tigers rose from 26 to 34, reflecting a steady positive trend, said a statement from the Field Director, Project Tiger. Notably, the increase in breeding females signifies improved reproductive success and population resilience. The monitoring exercise was carried out in accordance with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols, covering 10 forest ranges divided into four spatial blocks for effective and systematic data collection, the statement said. A total 1,594 camera traps were deployed in the reserve between December 20, 2024 and May 15, 2025 for identifying the tigers. The indirect monitoring exercise covered 797 grid locations, each two square kilometres, to confirm the camera trap data with indirect signs such as pug marks, scats, and scrape & rake marks, the statement said. Field Director Rohit Gopidi termed the results as encouraging and attributed the success to the field staff.
