Tigers on prowl deprive tribals of livelihood
● TIGERS HAVE been reportedly moving in the Kagaznagar forest division. It may be remembered that a tiger killed two persons last year in the district.
Adivasis and non-tribal members living in the interior areas of undivided Adilabad district are afraid to venture into the deep forests for making a living due to the presence of tigers. The fear of tiger attacks is stopping them from going to collect beedi (tendu) leaves, the only occupation to make ends meet.
Forest officials asked the Adivasis not to venture into the deep. An Adivasi teenage cattle grazer was injured in a leopard attack in Pothaguda village in Adilabad Rural mandal on May 20. Tigers have been reportedly moving in the Kagaznagar forest division. It may be remembered that a tiger killed two persons last year in the district.
According to the forest officials, tigers are moving in the forests in Penchikalpet, Bejjur and Chinthalamanepalli mandals. Unlike in the past, many Adivasis are not showing interest in beedi leaves collection due to the fear of tiger attacks in these mandals.
Generally, Adivasis make a livelihood or get additional income on the collection of beedi leaves during the summer, sometimes venturing deep into the forests.
There were incidents of people unknowingly entering into the territory of tigers where they were taking rest under trees or. In summer, the tigers also take rest near water bodies after quenching their thirst.
A leopard attacked an Adivasi youth Kumram Laxman of Pothaguda while he was grazing cattle in the forests near his village in the afternoon. The leopard pounced on him and caused injuries on his neck in Adilabad Rural mandal. However, his condition was stable after getting treatment.
Interestingly, Laxman’s two pet dogs chased the leopard to some distance on seeing the animal attacking hom. Subsequently, the leopard disappeared into the forests.
A village elder Vedma Ramu of Pothaguda said many Adivasis were not going for beedi leaves collection due to fear of animal attacks especially leopards and wild boars.