Farmer Reports Tiger Sighting in East Godavari, Precautions Issued

A recent sighting of a tiger and its cub near Bhimolu village in the Gopalapuram mandal of East Godavari District has sparked concern among local residents. A farmer, identified as Nagaraju, reported the sighting to the Forest Department, prompting officials to advise nearby villagers, including those in Rampalem, to remain indoors during daylight hours. Although the alarm has been raised, forest officials have not yet confirmed any tiger movement in the area.

In an interview with the *Deccan Chronicle*, N. David Raj, the Forest Territorial Range Officer (FTRO), explained that Nagaraju initially informed a neighboring farmer, Ramakrishna, and others working on the land about the sighting. This led to a notification to the forest authorities. Upon investigating the site, forest officials found no pugmarks or other evidence of the tiger’s presence.

While no signs of the tiger were discovered, some farmers reported wild boars damaging their crops. FTRO David Raj suggested that the tiger could be in the area seeking to hunt these wild boars.

Precautionary Measures Implemented

To ensure the safety of local residents, six camera traps have been installed in the vicinity, although these will only become operational from Monday morning. Raj emphasized the need for caution and urged farmers to stay vigilant. “Though we have not found any signs of the movement of a tiger, we have installed six cameras as a precautionary measure,” he said.

Bhimolu village is situated approximately 15 kilometers from the Karakapadu Reserve Forest, which spans nearly 2,000 hectares. Additionally, there is another reserve forest covering over 150 acres near Komatigunta. The presence of these forests may contribute to the wildlife interactions observed in the area, but the Forest Department remains committed to monitoring the situation closely.

As local communities await further updates, the Forest Department continues to prioritize public safety while assessing the potential presence of the tiger and its cub. Residents are advised to stay informed and heed the guidance of forest officials in the coming days.