EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Preamble:
While India’s Western Ghats have garnered tremendous national and international attention,the same cannot be said of the Eastern Ghats, despite their incredibly rich biodiversity.
Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in the Nallamalla Hill Range, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, has the potential to be one of India’s finest Tiger Reserves.Freed from 16 years of armed extremist domination, the Reserve is in urgent need of infrastructure,increased staff strength and capacity building. This report is the result of a rapid appraisal carried out from September 9th to 15th 2009 for the National Tiger Conservation
Area and extent:
Encompassing an area of 3,568 sq km spread over five Districts of Andhra Pradesh, NSTR is India’s largest Tiger Reserve. In 2007, an area of 2527 sq km of the TR was notified as‘Inviolate Area’. In addition, a contiguous area of forest of 1140 sq km, called the Gundla Brahmeshwaram Sanctuary (GBM) - to the south of NSTR – has been proposed as core/critical tiger habitat. GBM is entirely devoid of human settlements and is therefore an extremely valuable addition that needs to be notified as a Core/Critical Tiger Habitat at the earliest.
Topography and fauna of NSTR:
Hilly terrain cloaked in tropical mixed dry deciduous forest is characteristic of this picturesque Tiger Reserve, which also boasts of plateaus and valleys, gorges and escarpments.The Krishna River runs through the TR for 130 km. The faunal diversity is remarkable to say the least, and includes tiger, leopard, wild dog, striped hyena, Indian wolf, sloth bear, spotted deer and sambar as well as 4 species of antelope, namely Nilgai, Blackbuck,Chinkara and Chousingha.
Present status of habitat and status of tigers, co-predators and prey:
The overall quality of the habitat, particularly in the Core/Critical (inviolate) area appears to be good. Encouraging signs of tigers, leopards and wild dogs were observed. Frequent sightings of prey animals in some parts of the TR indicate the potential for long-term persistence of tigers, and provides ecological justification for investments in the NSTR landscape.
A unique feature:
We would like to draw special attention to the unique fact that NSTR and GBM are connected to, and contiguous with, a mosaic of Reserve Forests and PAs that extend all the way south to the Sri Venkateshwara National Park in Chitoor District. The combined area of this tract, spanning a length of approximately 350 km from north to south, and comprising over 13,000 sq km of mixed deciduous forest and southern tropical thorn scrub, presents an extraordinary opportunity for conservation. The forests and grasslands here are home to rare and endangered species such as Jerdon’s courser, Great Indian bustard,Asian elephant and the red sanders tree. The AP Forest Department has already started planning the linking up of these areas, and needs to be supported and encouraged in implementing this plan.
NSTR - problems and solutions:
The Reserve has several chronic problems, which need to be either resolved or mitigated.
Here we present a summary of our findings and recommendations based on our field assessments.
CRITICAL CONSERVATION ISSUES:
• Staff strength & Infrastructure: The Tiger Reserve is grossly understaffed at all
levels given its vast extent. Due to the breakdown of administrative machinery during
the 16 years of naxal domination, protection infrastructure in the Reserve is severely crippled. There are no anti-poaching camps, no firearms, no patrolling vehicles and no wireless network. Lack of staff quarters and monetary incentives are
major hurdles in attracting and retaining quality personnel.
• Dual responsibility: Officers and staff of NSTR are saddled with numerous territorial duties that take their focus away from the task of managing the Tiger Reserve.
• Lack of coordination: Several other government departments, including the Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA), appear to be working at crosspurposes
with the Forest Department, exacerbating the problems of the Reserve
through ad hoc developmental activities that are often incompatible with tiger conservation.
Development activities that are poorly planned and/or which do not follow
the terms and conditions stipulated are also creating problems in the Reserve.
• Township: The irrigation township of Sundipenta in the heart of NSTR is expanding
at an alarming rate. If left unchecked, its cancerous growth could pose a big threat
to the Reserve in the future. Already, the biotic pressures exerted by the combined
population of Sundipenta and the temple town of Srisailam (about 25,000) are said
to be considerable.
• Encroachments: Encroachments in the Nagarjunasagar Division (northeast extreme
of NSTR) have severely fragmented the habitat, which is already fragmented
by the presence of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir. Encroachments are also present
elsewhere. Some illegal settlements by fishermen along the Srisailam Reservoir
bring disturbance and anthropogenic pressures to undisturbed areas of NSTR.
• Pilgrimage: Several lakh pilgrims visit the Shiva Temple at Srisailam as well as
several other smaller temples and shrines in the Reserve every year. While a large
number of vehicles ply on the highway through the forest posing a risk to wildlife, an even larger number of people choose to walk up to the temples through the forest,
causing disturbance to wildlife and posing a major fire hazard during the dry season.
• Cattle: A large resident cattle population (reportedly 50,000 – 100,000) in and
around NSTR and the influx of migratory cattle on a massive scale (reportedly
300,000 +) from June to October and again in the dry season is a major problem.
Competition for scarce resources (water and fodder), threat of disease, disturbance
to large areas of NSTR and potential for retaliatory killing of cattle-lifters are the major problems posed by these cattle.
• Timber smuggling: The park management estimates that approximately 2100+ m3
of timber is extracted illegally for house construction and manufacture of agricultural implements annually. There are an estimated 1500 carpenters involved in makingthese items outside NSTR. These goods are apparently sold in the open at an annual fair in Tartur Village, where people from Karnataka and Maharashtra, as well
as locals, visit to buy them. There are said to be several hardened gangs and cartels
involved in this trade, which the management is hard-pressed to counter effectively.
In addition, fuel wood collection and lopping of trees to provide fodder for cattle
and goats is exerting a huge pressure on the trees.
• Poaching: Poaching of prey species and small game remains a un-quantified
threat; targeted poaching for tigers has also been recorded in the past. Illegal fishing,estimated to be around 2400+ tons annually, is also threatening the aquatic
species, which include many endemic fishes, otters and Marsh Crocodile.
• Conflict: Human wildlife conflict is prevalent in and around the reserve and this
could result in increased animosity towards conservation, and in retaliatory killing of wildlife.
HIGH PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Staff strength: State Government must urgently increase officer and staff strength
and initiate capacity building to establish a credible and effective protection mechanism.
2. Dual responsibility: State Government must unburden the Field Director and Divisional Forest Officers of NSTR from all Territorial Division duties so that they may focus their energies exclusively on managing the Tiger Reserve. Ideally, key NSTR officers presently leading the recovery process must be retained for at least two more years to ensure consolidation of gains achieved and continuity.
3. Protection Force: In lieu of the proposed armed Special Tiger Protection Force, the sensitization/utilization of the elite Greyhounds (Police) force under an appropriate coordination protocol - or joint command - should be carefully considered.
4. Infrastructure: NTCA must immediately provide adequate funding for creating/rebuilding protection infrastructure, including staff quarters, permanent anti-poaching camps, appropriate patrolling vehicles and a wireless network.
NSTR Appraisal Report! November 2009
5. Nodal authority: State Government must empower the Chief Wildlife Warden as the
senior-most nodal officer to interface with the NTCA, in order to streamline the administration of the TR.
4. Notification: State Government must immediately complete the process of notification of the 1140 sq km GBM Sanctuary as a Core/Critical tiger habitat, as agreed before the NBWL.
5. Relocation: State Government/NTCA must fast-track the process of relocation of
around 1100 families living within the core/critical tiger habitat with necessary funding, including the 16 crore rupees already deposited by user agencies.
6. Coordination: State Government must ensure primacy of Forest Department
amongst government agencies operating in the NSTR landscape to ensure proper
management. Conservation of Tiger Habitat must be made the main administrative objective.
7. Road diversion: The Guntur-Kurnool State Highway that now divides NSTR and
GBM Sanctuary and runs through the forest for 30 km is a horrendous death trap for
animals, resulting in hundreds of roadkills every year. An excellent alternative highway already exists between Kunta and Kurnool via Giddalur that involves an additional distance of a mere 25 km. The State Government must take steps to immediately divert all heavy vehicles through this alternative highway. Further the State Highway through the forest must be closed between dusk and dawn for all vehicular traffic.
8. Township: State Government must identify and shift all unnecessary infrastructure
and human artifacts out of Sundipenta Irrigation Township, which is situated on Reserved Forest land.
9. Tiger Conservation Plan: NTCA must critically evaluate the new Tiger Conservation
Plan by referring it to an independent panel of ecologists/conservationists to determine ecologically prudent short /medium/long-term management objectives.
10. Science: AP Forest department must establish a rigorous sampling based monitoring
program for estimating tiger, co-predators and prey populations within the notified
core/critical habitat by a competent independent institution, with participation of appropriately trained NGOs/amateur naturalists.
11. Alternatives: Alternate materials for agricultural implements and house construction material for local people should be found and encouraged so as to minimize timber removal from the forest. Alternate sources of energy for cooking and other needs need to be explored and encouraged to minimize dependence on fuel wood from forests.
12. Income generation: The State Government must encourage education, alternate
sources of income and livelihoods, income enhancing mechanisms, etc. for the local
populace so as to minimize peoples’ dependence on forests. Such dependence is severely eroding the landscape’s ability to provide key ecosystem services like water
catchment and climate moderation, which are critical to people locally and regionally.
1.0: BACKGROUND
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, vide notification No. 7-22/2009-NTCA dated 6th August, 2009 and 29th September, 2009 (ANNEXURE-A) constituted a team to carry out a detailed appraisal of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Based on the terms of reference (TOR) contained in the said notification, the designated team (Praveen Bhargav,
Shekar Dattatri and Ajay Desai) carried out a site visit along with the Field Director and other officers/staff of NSTR from 9th September 2009 to 15th September 2009.
The Terms Of Reference were as follows:
• Appraisal of the status of tiger, co-predators and prey animals
• Protection efforts taken vis a vis advisories of Project Tiger/NTCA
• Administrative/Ecological problems/Managerial issues
• Suggestions for restoring the area and eliciting local support to strengthen protection.
This appraisal was based on intensive field inspections over 7 days and discussions with the Officers and Staff of the Tiger Reserve. We visited areas with high and low concentrations of wildlife and also areas where major problems or developmental activities existed and were clearly visible.
2.0. TOR (i): APPRAISAL OF THE STATUS OF TIGER, CO-PREDATORS AND PREY
ANIMALS:
It was beyond the scope of the present appraisal to do a detailed evaluation of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey. Therefore the team visited various parts of NSTR to get a fair idea of animal distribution and indications of abundance. This rapid assessment of status was based on direct observation of species, detection of signs and habitat quality.
The team visited more than 20 different locations and observed several signs and recorded direct sightings that are summarized below:
2.1 OBSERVATIONS:
SPECIES SIGNS OBSERVED
TIGER Four sets of tracks seen at different locations: Puli Cheruvu, Peddarutla Rasta, Appapur-
Farrahabad junction and Tummalabailu-Pecherruvu Road.
LEOPARD Tracks seen at 4 places in different parts of the reserve
WILD DOG Fresh scats at Peddamavagu
SLOTH BEAR Tracks seen at several locations as well as evidence in the form of excavations PREY ANIMALS Sambar, Chital, Chousingha and Wild Pig tracks seen in many places as well as their droppings. Nilgai droppings were seen at one location.
Direct sightings:
SPECIES OBSERVATION
CHITAL Several herds ranging in size from 4-20 individuals
SAMBAR Four individuals
WILD PIG Several solitary individuals and a few small groups
CHOUSINGHA Three individuals
SLOTH BEAR One observed for several minutes at close proximity
PRIMATES Bonnet macaque, Rhesus macaque and Common Langur, sighted frequently in that
order of abundance,. Rhesus are not native to NSTR but have been translocated from
Hyderabad.
2.1.1: Camera Trapping results: The team also viewed images obtained from camera
trapping carried out in an area of around 100 sq km. Three tigers were identified from the
pictures, including one lactating female. A study done by the Wildlife Institute of India in
2006 estimated that there were 53 (49 – 57) tigers in the Reserve. The estimate was
based on camera trapping in a small area and then extrapolating the data to the entire reserve.
This may not be the correct approach to estimation due to heterogeneity of tiger
densities in the landscape.
2.1.2: Concerns: What could be a potential long-term concern is the rather large fluctuations
that this reserve - and possibly the adjoining landscape - have seen in terms of large
carnivore populations due to poisoning (and perhaps poaching), leading to possible genetic
bottlenecks. This typically occurs where isolated populations expand after a depression
and/or where connectivity to other large populations does not exist. In such cases,
inbreeding can pose a problem in the long-term.
2.1.3: Prey Animal prognosis: Given the fact that this reserve was literally out of Forest
Department control for 16 years due to the presence of armed extremists, wildlife populations
appear to be relatively healthy. There appear to be reasonable populations of most
large herbivores (prey species) although possibly not as high as can be supported given
the size of the habitat and its current quality. Cattle, through grazing, competition for water
during the extremely dry summers, and possibly disturbance, are likely to be a major limiting
factor for large herbivore abundance. Low intensity poaching would then be sufficient
to create and sustain pressure that does not allow the populations to increase rapidly.
Disease/parasites transmitted by cattle could also pose a serious threat to wildlife.
2.1.4: Habitat: Most of the habitat that we saw in the Core/Critical area appears to be in
fairly good condition, with a reasonably intact under-storey, abundant grass and relatively
low weed infestation. However, valuable timber species such as teak appear to have been
systematically poached over the years, as evidenced from remnant stumps. Areas outside
the Core/Critical habitat, as well as around enclosures, are somewhat degraded, and appear
to have suffered from fuelwood and timber removal, cattle grazing and annual fires.
Areas in the northern extreme of the TR are extremely degraded and have been heavily
encroached for cultivation.
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2.1.5: Fire: Man-made fires seem to affect large parts of the reserve in the dry season.
Grass cover, while extensive, is largely dominated by a single or, at most, a few species, in
most areas, indicating that fire may have changed the diversity of grasses in the reserve.
Most of these dominant grasses are likely to be fire hardy species that may not be the
most palatable for herbivores. A large part of the problem appears to originate from cattle
graziers setting fires to promote new grass growth, and by pilgrims camping or moving
through forests.
2.1.6: Water deficiency: Notwithstanding the 2 large reservoirs, the Krishna river and
several seasonal streams, much of the landscape appears to be extremely water deficient.
It would be advisable to assess this factor so as to develop a systematic and need-based
management intervention that facilitates better water availability across the Reserve.
Competition with domestic cattle for water is also likely to be a major threat and it needs to
be addressed through controlling of cattle grazing.
2.1.7: Impact of cattle: Although intensive cattle grazing was not witnessed directly, signs
of cattle were seen in most areas visited; the estimates of cattle numbers by the Forest
Department are quite worrisome. Other than being direct competitors to wild herbivores,
cattle also impact the vegetation directly. Cattle, especially on the scales mentioned, could
alter the overall vegetation through soil degradation (breaking up top soil, erosion and
compaction) and through trampling and feeding.
2.1.8: Human induced stress: Human disturbance in wildlife habitat is known to stress
wildlife and alter their normal behavior. It also results in creation of disturbed areas, which
sensitive wildlife avoid during the period when humans are present; causing indirect loss of
habitat (temporarily). Widespread NTFP collection over extended periods of time, cattle
grazing, fuel wood and timber collection, fishing, unregulated tourism, pilgrimage to sites
within the forest and roads can all cause serious disturbance and degradation. All these
factors are present in NSTR and are posing little understood and unknown (un-measured)
pressures to wildlife.
2.2 CONCLUSIONS:
Based on the rapid assessment, including direct sightings of prey, signs of tigers, copredators
and prey, anecdotal information from field staff and the quality and extent of
habitat available, we are of the view that:
2.2.1: Breeding populations of tigers continue to persist in NSTR.
2.2.2: The presence of a diverse assemblage of prey species (in reasonable numbers in
certain areas) is encouraging.
2.2.3: The vast extent of habitat and the presence of inaccessible caves, gorges and escarpments
provide excellent cover and refuge for animals, greatly improving the potential
for long term conservation.
2.2.4: Improved protection and removal of biotic pressures will result in substantial increases
of both prey and predator populations.
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3.0. TOR (ii): PROTECTION EFFORTS TAKEN VIS A VIS THE ADVISORIES
OF PROJECT TIGER / NTCA
3.1: BACKGROUND:
NSTR was under the grip of left wing extremist groups (naxalites) from 1990 to 2006. During
this period protection activities by Forest personnel were reportedly severely hampered.
The gunning down of the Forest Range Officer of Bairluty in broad daylight by extremists
and the blasting of staff quarters, chowkis and departmental buildings in the TR
further demoralized the forest staff, who were warned against moving inside the forest in
uniform, and told to exit before sunset.
As a consequence, the TR was under severe pressure from large-scale timber smuggling,
massive intrusion of cattle and illegal hunting. Under the prevailing circumstances at the
time it was apparently not possible to properly implement advisories from Project Tiger/
NTCA.
However, by May 2008, the Greyhounds, an elite anti-naxal Police force specially constituted
by the A.P. Government, had succeeded in eliminating naxals from NSTR and the
adjacent Gundla Brameswaram Sanctuary. Since then, no naxal related incidents have
been reported in the Tiger Reserve, and Forest Department staff and vehicles are now
able to move freely. This was corroborated during the visit of the appraisal team, which
was able to go anywhere and at any time without a police escort. Further, all major checkposts
situated on State Highways leading into the TR (Bairluty, Dornal, Shikaram, Egalapenta,
Mannanur) were fully operational and manned by forest staff in uniform.
3.2: OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION:
After over 16 years of left wing extremism, protection infrastructure in NSTR has been
badly crippled and requires to be re-built urgently. Over the past two years some efforts
have been initiated towards this end, and the process of restoring normalcy is evident. The
situation vis a vis some critical protection infrastructure is outlined below:
3.2.1: Firearms: TR authorities were told to surrender their weapons to the police in 1995
due to the threat of extremists snatching them. These firearms have not been returned to
the Forest Department.
3.2.2: Wireless: There is virtually no wireless network in the TR since that too was ordered
to be removed during the naxal occupation.
3.2.3: Anti-poaching camps: There are no anti poaching camps in the TR barring a oneroom
‘Base Camp’ at Pulaiyapalli.
3.2.4: Vehicles: There is one 4 WD Jeep with a Ranger who leads a “Flying squad”. Other
than this, no vehicles are available with Rangers for patrolling. Even the official vehicles of
senior officers are being maintained and kept operational at great odds due to delay in release
of funds budgeted under various CSS schemes.
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3.2.5: Boats: The Forest Department has two boats - only one of which is currently functional
- for patrolling the backwaters of two dams - Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar - and a
stretch of about 130 km of the Krishna river that runs through the TR. About 15 staff have
apparently been vested with the responsibility of boat patrolling.
3.2.6: Staff: There is a severe shortage of officers and staff at all levels - DFOs, ACFs,
RFOs and frontline staff (see recommended staff strength on page 16).
3.3. CONCLUSIONS:
Given the challenges of protecting 3568 sq km of hilly terrain, a 636 km perimeter and a
vast stretch of river and its backwaters, we are of the view that:
3.3.1: Officer and staff strength urgently needs augmentation to appropriate levels to bring
NSTR on par with other high priority TRs.
3.3.2: A site specific approach of seeking the sensitization/involvement of the elite ‘Greyhounds’
police force - who are already deployed and carrying out routine area domination
exercises - must be carefully considered in lieu of investments on raising a separate Special
Tiger Protection Force (STPF). The NTCA could subsidize the AP government on the
recurring cost of deploying 2 Companies of Greyhounds for protection of NSTR. Such an
arrangement will not only ensure the presence of only one highly skilled and empowered
force, but will also complement the State’s anti-naxal strategy of preventing re-infiltration of
extremists into the Nallamalla landscape including NSTR and GBM.
3.3.3: There is an immediate need to make investments on protection infrastructure like
field staff quarters, anti-poaching camps/chowkies, 4 WD patrol vehicles, wireless network
etc.
3.3.4: Substantial capacity building efforts are necessary to improve investigation and
prosecution capacities, which appear to be rather weak, particularly with regard to wildlife
offenses.
3.3.5: There is an immediate need to evaluate the feasibility of restoring the fragmented
and degraded habitat in Nagarjunasagar Division through removal of encroachments and
control of biotic pressures. If such actions are considered not feasible then there is a need
to explore rationalization of the Reserve’s boundary to consolidate the remaining habitat
by excluding those areas that do not have any conservation potential and by including
good habitat from adjoining Reserve Forests to offset the loss.
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4.0. TOR (iii): ADMINISTRATIVE / ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS/ MANAGERIAL ISSUES:
4.1: ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS:
4.1.1: Dual Administration: The system of dual administration, with TR officers also having
to perform territorial duties, is a huge drain on the time and energy of Tiger Reserve
officers. The Field Director and D.F.O.s are burdened with extensive territorial duties,
which include raising and managing plantations and implementing other schemes that are
not part of the approved management plan of NSTR. Even FDA schemes, which are not
applicable to PAs, are being implemented in buffer areas by TR officials. In addition to
such territorial duties, Tiger Reserve D.F.O.s also shoulder responsibilities such as Special
Officers in Mandals to oversee developmental activities, and participate in implementing
NREGA schemes.
4.1.2: Reporting: From discussions with officers, it emerged that while CWLW exercises
administrative control over the area, the Field Director (CCF) also reports to the PCCF
(Department Head) directly on territorial and other matters. It also emerged that all proposals
of the CWLW including those that pertain to the Tiger Reserve move to the Government
through the PCCF. Streamlining this system may be desirable.
4.1.3: Funding: Apart from NTCA/Project Tiger, NSTR receives funding from other centrally
sponsored schemes (CSS) and State plan schemes. Budget Statements are at ANNEXURE
– B. The administrative effort of budgeting/APOs, follow up on credits and accounting,
including filing of compliance reports etc., appear to be taking up considerable
time of the Field Director. It was conveyed during the appraisal meetings that despite compliance
of all budgetary procedures, not even a rupee of Central assistance had
reached the field as on 1st September 2009. This situation prevails despite various
measures to streamline funding procedures - as envisaged in the tripartite MOU - and requires
immediate redressal.
4.1.4: Legal: An area of 3,568 sq km was notified as Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Wildlife
Sanctuary under Section 18 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA) on 5th July, 1978.
The Sanctuary was included as a Project Tiger area vide Government Order dated 25th
February, 1983. The final notification of the “Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
(Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary)” under 26-A of the WLPA was issued on
27th June, 1998 and published in the official gazette dated July 22, 1998 (ANNEXURE -
C). Finally, an area of 2527 sq km out of the 3,568 sq km Sanctuary was notified as Core/
Critical Tiger Habitat and inviolate area on 20th December, 2007 (ANNEXURE - D). All enclosures
within the Reserved Forests, villages and private lands except Srisailam, Sundipenta
and Egalapenta stand included in the Core/Critical Tiger Habitat of 2527 sq km.
However, rights and concessions of local communities - as recognized during the forest
settlement process - have been admitted until relocation.
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4.1.5: Detrimental activities: Notwithstanding the final notification of the Sanctuary, various
activities detrimental to the long-term conservation of the area were observed to be
going on either in the enclosures within the limits of the Sanctuary or within the Sanctuary/
Tiger Reserve itself. Prima facie, some of these activities also appeared to be in violation
of the WLPA and orders of the Supreme Court in IA 548/2000 in WP 202/1995. On seeking
a clarification, certain facts were conveyed by forest officials. On the basis of the said
facts, site observations of the team and perusal of some records, the situation is summarized
as follows:
(i) The Sundipenta irrigation township is situated on Reserved Forest land within the limits
of the Sanctuary. These lands continue to be used for expansion of the township, including
construction of new houses and government buildings. The infrastructure appears to be far
in excess of what is actually and operationally necessary to maintain the Srisailam dam
and hydro-electric project.
(ii) M/s Jaiprakash Industries appear to have commenced construction of a tunnel for the
Srisailam Left bank canal project (SLBC) without obtaining all mandatory permissions.
While attempting to create a tunnel portal for pushing in the tunnel-boring machine (TBM),
massive excavations and road building was observed by the team within the limits of the
Sanctuary/Tiger Reserve, on the edge of the backwaters (Photographs of the site are at
ANNEXURE –E). On a brief perusal of the file, it was noted that this work is being permitted
on the basis of permission granted by the Ministry in 1994 merely to drill 3 boreholes
as part of the Survey. Several conditions of the said permission appear to have been violated,
including dumping of overburden, and unauthorized road construction. An amount of
16 crores from the user agency was to be utilized for rehabilitation of villages from the core
area, but this has not been complied with.
(iii) A 3 km road from Circle Tanda to Gunthal Tanda from the Devrakonda – Pogilla Road
has been constructed by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) of the AP Government
- without mandatory prior permissions (Compartment 117, Section Kambalapally
of Devarakonda Range of NSTR). While the ITDA’s plan was to build the road upto Kasarajapally,
NSTR officials stopped the work and filed a Preliminary Offence Report (No.
12 dated 22-07-2009) against the contractor, which is at ANNEXURE-F. The said action of
the ITDA in funding and taking up the road construction work appears to be in violation of
the WLPA and the orders of the Supreme Court.
(iv) The Irrigation Department appears to have drawn up a proposal to commence commercial
tourism on the River Krishna from Nagarjunasagar to Srisailam in a luxury launch
within the NSTR including the core/critical habitat.
OBSERVATION: Overall, it appears that other government departments are willfully or
otherwise oblivious to the stringent provisions of the WLPA and the various orders of the
Supreme Court, which prohibit the kind of activities illustrated above.
Even though the State Government has notified the area as a Sanctuary/Tiger Reserve
including a Core/Critical Tiger habitat, various plans and schemes that are fundamentally
in serious conflict with the objectives of a Tiger Reserve are being pushed into the landscape
in an ad hoc manner.
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As a result, government departments appear to be working at cross-purposes. For instance,
while TR administration attempts to protect the habitat and vegetation, the ITDA
goes about providing goats to people living inside the TR, which invade and destroy forests.
These issues need to be resolved at the highest levels of the State government. All developmental
schemes must be appropriately in synch with the primary objectives of the Tiger
Reserve. We are of the view that Tiger Reserve Administration must be accorded primacy
in all decisions and activities that are implemented in this priority Tiger landscape.
4.2: ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
4.2.1: Cattle: Cattle grazing on a vast scale is said to be a major problem. An estimated
100,000 cattle reportedly belong to villagers living in and around the park. An additional
3,00,000 cattle are reportedly driven into the park from outside at the onset of the southwest
monsoon every year, and graze in the TR between mid-June and mid-October (resident
cattle obviously graze in the Reserve throughout the year). Lopping of trees to feed
livestock is also a serious problem. Regeneration is also severely curtailed by goat grazing.
In degraded habitats, goats eliminate any chance of restoration by killing off all regeneration.
The ITDA is largely responsible distribution of goats, sheep and other livestock
to tribal residents in the Reserve.
Cattle are also a major reason for conflict with large carnivores. Between 1984 and 2005,
4538 cattle were reportedly killed by carnivora (averages to 216/year). 4279 of these kills
were deemed as ‘genuine cases’ and a compensation of Rs.33.48 lakhs paid. There is no
information on retaliatory killings, if any, of tigers or leopards during the said period, although
such conflict was considered one of the causes for the initial decline of tigers in this
landscape.
4.2.2: Villages in core area: There are said to be a total of 120 villages within NSTR, of
which 24 are in the core/critical tiger habitat. Some of these villages are small 6-10 hut
hamlets belonging to the Chenchu tribe (some of these are regularly shifted by the inhabitants
from one location to another and the impact of this movement needs to be studied).
Other settlements are large enclosures primarily belonging to the Lambada people, with
land holdings of up to 1000 acres under cultivation, much of it encroachment (because the
Lambada have been give ST status in AP, large numbers of them have come from neighbouring
states and have settled down in various forest areas of AP. The two major settlements
of Srisailam and Sundipenta almost at the centre of NSTR have a combined resident
population of over 25,000 people, most of who are apparently unemployed. The biotic
pressure they exert on the surrounding forests is said to be considerable.
4.2.3: Influx of pilgrims/tourists: The Shiva Temple at Srisailam is extremely famous
and attracts lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year. Large numbers of devotees walk all
the way to the temple through the forest. There is reportedly a huge influx of people during
major festivals. 5 lakh people during Shivaratri, 2-3 lakhs during Ugadi and 2-3 lakhs
during Kartikey Masam. A large number of vehicles also ply on the road to Srisailam,
which runs through prime habitat. Apart from the big temple at Srisailam there are reported
to be 6-7 smaller temples spread across the TR, which also attract visitors.
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4.2.4: Fire: The grass is reported to dry up by the end of December, just when the pilgrim
influx begins. Fires are said to start at the end of December and go on until late February
or mid March. Apart from accidental fires started by pilgrims, fire is deliberately set by cattle
graziers (to induce new growth), poachers and NTFP collectors (particularly those collecting
deer antlers). The dry deciduous vegetation, undulating terrain and strong seasonal
winds reportedly make controlling fires extremely difficult.
4.2.5: Hunting: There is very little documented information available on hunting. According
to park officials, the Chenchus who live within the park hunt “minimally”. However, it is
interesting to note that all Chenchu men seen in the park were carrying bamboo bows and
a handful of extremely sharp metal-tipped arrows. Whether the Chenchus carry bows and
arrows simply out of tradition or whether they are in the habit of hunting animals needs to
be investigated. Even though they may be hunting only small game, their impact on such
species needs to be given serious consideration. Additionally their knowledge of the forest
and wildlife distribution could be exploited by other poachers. It is worth noting that a few
months ago, a female tiger was caught and killed in a snare that was apparently specifically
set for it by Chenchus in the Nandyal Forest Division, which is not too far from NSTR.
The Lambada community resident in the TR are said to hunt “occasionally”, especially during
“festivals and celebrations”.
4.2.6: Tiger poaching by Baheliyas: In 2002, a gang of over 20 Baheliyas was captured
by Chenchus from Thummalabailu Village, Dornal Range of NSTR after one Chenchu got
his leg caught in a jaw trap meant for a big cat. A leopard and a sloth bear were killed by
the gang before they were apprehended. The gang was handed over to NSTR officials
who filed a case before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Markapur, who remanded them
to judicial custody for 15 days. Thereafter the gang obtained bail and vanished. Some ‘local
persons’ from Markapur Village who apparently gave surety to the Court on behalf of
the gang also seem to have vanished, and there appear to be no details about who they
were or even what their names are. The magistrate has now ordered the Range Officer to
produce the accused before the court. Efforts to trace the offenders who jumped bail
have not succeeded with even the DFO Katni reporting that the names and addresses are
fictitious and the individuals are not traceable. A statement that provides details of wildlife
offence cases booked/prosecuted during a five year period from 2005-06 to 2009-10 is at
ANNEXURE – G.
4.2.7: Hunting by local poachers: NSTR is under pressure from local hunting, as well as
‘recreational hunting’ by outsiders from cities and towns. Details provided in Annexure G
indicate that cases have been registered against people living in the irrigation township of
Sundipenta and the temple township of Srisailam. During the site visit the team, as well as
the Field Director and other officers/staff, spotted three headlights at night from a vantage
point, Nilagiri View Point, in Mananur Range. After careful observation, it was inferred that
it was two or three different people moving into the TR possibly for hunting. The Field Director
and staff alerted teams to move to the field locations and locate the intruders. During
discussions it was confirmed that such local hunting pressures exist and that some
cases have also been abetted by local police personnel, against whom the Forest Department
has acted, leading to their suspension. In one such case, a police officer released on
bail has had to report regularly before the DFO. It was conveyed that field staff have been
instructed to act firmly against offenders.
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4.2.8: Timber smuggling: Our field observations suggest that timber felling has been
rampant over the years and that large numbers of teak trees have been felled and removed,
as can be seen from stumps that remain. Park authorities told the team that a major
jatra takes place every year at Tartur village near Atmakur, where very large numbers of
door frames and agricultural implements made out of forest timber are sold openly. About
10,000 cartloads of wood items are said to make their way to the jatra, and sold not only to
people from local and neighbouring areas but also to those who come all the way from
Karnataka and Maharashtra specifically for the purpose. The timber is said to mostly
come from NSTR and its surrounding Reserve Forests.
4.2.9: NTFP Collection: Not much information is available on quantities, but about 36
types of NTFPs are said to be collected from the park, including tree gum, amla and
honey. The Girijan Cooperative (GCC) is the principal agent involved in commercial exploitation
of NTFPs. The impact of NTFP collection on the habitat and wildlife needs investigation.
4.2.10: Removal of fuel wood also needs to addressed urgently as the human population
surrounding NSTR is large and, as such, the demand on the forests will be great. These
dry deciduous forests may not be able to sustain such pressures over the long term.
4.2.11: Weed infestation: Overall, weed infestation appears to be minimal in most of the
interior areas of the Core/Critical tiger habitat. Lantana appears to be prevalent more at
the edges of the park and around larger settlements, although nowhere did we observe it
completely choking native vegetation. The issue of weeds needs to be addressed when it
is still in the nascent stage, when resource requirements, effort and disturbance caused
during removal would be minimal.
4.2.12: Encroachment by fishers: Fishers, including those from coastal areas, have encroached
into the backwaters of the Krishna inside the TR boundaries and set up illegal
encampments. Their fishing activities, particularly the setting up of long gill nets, pose a
threat to crocodiles and otters.
4.2.13: Road diversion: The Guntur-Kurnool State Highway that now divides NSTR and
GBM Sanctuary and runs through the forest for 30 km is a horrendous death trap for animals,
resulting in hundreds of roadkills every year. An excellent alternative highway already
exists between Kunta and Kurnool via Giddalur that involves an additional distance
of a mere 25 km. The State Government must take steps to immediately divert all heavy
vehicles through this alternative highway. The State Highway through the forest must be
closed between dusk and dawn for all vehicular traffic as has been done between Mannanur
and Dornal.
4.2.14: Developmental activities: Poorly planned or harmful developmental activities (legal
and illegal) pose serious problems to NTSR (like the Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project).
Development that is incompatible, or unmonitored, also pose threats to the reserve.
These threats can contribute to direct adverse impacts on the habitat and wildlife or, indirectly,
by increasing human populations and disturbance within and adjoining the reserve.
It is important that all developmental activities (by all departments) are integrated with the
landscape objectives which should be focused on the Tiger Reserve.
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4.3. MANAGERIAL ISSUES:
4.3.1: ‘Unattractive’ posting: NSTR is perceived as a ‘punishment posting’ for ‘troublemakers’
and those under enquiry; capable staff are rarely sent and few are willing to come
of their own volition. Although it is an ‘interior’ area with no amenities, there are no incentives
to attract people. They do not get ‘special duty status’.
4.3.2: Lack of staff quarters: Neither senior officials nor staff (barring the Field Director)
get rent-free quarters, and have to spend a considerable amount of money on rent. Other
than the Field Director, all officers currently posted are forced to maintain two establishments,
which is a hardship. It also means that time has to be divided between duty and
visiting family.
4.3.3: Allowances: Staff do not get even promised allowances on time. The field camps
have severe drinking water problems and allowances for uniforms and field kits are grossly
insufficient.
4.3.4: Wages not paid: The TR has employed 216 Chenchus on daily wages. 116 are
designated as ‘Tiger trackers’ while the other 100 are designated as ‘Protection Watchers’.
Each person is supposed to get a monthly wage of Rs.2500/- but none of them has been
paid for the last ten months due to the delay in release of funds from the 12th finance
commission CSS under which the wages of trackers and watchers are budgeted.
4.3.5: Administrative complexity: Being the largest TR spread over five districts, the
Field Director and other officers have a huge task of interfacing and dealing with other administrative
authorities. 35 Police Station jurisdictions and 7 courts of Judicial Magistrates
(First Class); 5 Collectors and Superintendents of Police overlap the Reserve, in addition
to 8 Legislative assembly and 3 Parliamentary constituencies.
5.0: TOR (iv): SUGGESTIONS FOR RESTORING THE AREA AND ELICITING LOCAL
SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION.
5.1: SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS on TOR (i)
5.1.1: Sampling: Establish a rigorous sampling based monitoring program for estimating
tiger, co-predators and prey populations within the notified core/critical habitat by a competent
independent institution.
5.1.2: Study: It is necessary to assess the genetic implications of population bottlenecks,
dependency of carnivora on domestic livestock, and factors affecting prey abundance, so
as to move beyond the more simplistic management options and put recovery on fast-track
mode using currently available management tools and options.
5.1.3: Peer Review: Critical evaluation of the new management plan (Tiger Conservation
Plan) must be carried out by an independent panel of ecologists and conservationists to
determine ecologically prudent short /medium/long-term management objectives for appropriate
investments to ensure protection, recovery and scientific management of the
landscape.
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5.1.4: Volunteer participation: Local conservation groups/amateur naturalists must be
involved in population monitoring and estimation surveys after appropriate training.
5.2: SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS on TOR (ii)
Based on the observations and conclusions at 3.2, 3.3 and 4.3 above, we make the following
suggestions/recommendations:
5.2.1: Staff Strength: Immediate enhancement of field staff strength to bring it on par with
other priority Tiger Reserves. It is recommended that the ideal strength indicated below
must be deployed in order to establish a credible protection mechanism to achieve the
long-term goal of recovering tiger populations in the country’s largest TR.
DESIGNATION TOTAL REQUIRED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CORE
AREA
DEPUTY DIRECTORS 2
D.F.O.s/A.C.F.s 10
R.F.O.s 30 15
DEPUTY RANGERS/FORESTERS 100 60
FOREST BEAT OFFICERS/GUARDS 300 200
ASSISTANT BEAT OFFICERS (WATCHERS/
TRACKERS)
600
5.2.2: Protection Force: Carefully consider the sensitization/utilization of the elite Greyhounds
force of the AP Police who are already deployed in NSTR by fully subsidizing the
recurring costs of two companies. This arrangement, under an appropriate co-ordination
protocol or joint command, can be in lieu of the proposed armed Special Tiger Protection
Force. Since this may involve inter-departmental issues, it may have to be initiated by
MoEF/NTCA with the State Government in co-ordination with the Home Ministry.
5.2.3: Infrastructure: Adequate funding for creating/re-building protection infrastructure
including field officers/staff quarters, permanent anti-poaching camps, 4WD patrol jeeps
(not SUVs) wireless network etc must be provided by NTCA to NSTR urgently based on a
proper plan.
5.2.4: Capacity building: A major in-service training program must be urgently implemented
in collaboration with an appropriate agency/institution to upgrade skills of field
officers/staff covering both protection and prosecution duties.
5.2.5: Informer network: There is a need to develop and manage an effective informer
network and protection strategies to curb all types of poaching and timber smuggling.
5.2.6: Incentives: Adequate incentives to staff in terms of remunerations/special pay, family
quarters located in suitable towns with adequate amenities, reasonable accommodation
at field sites, etc. to attract the best staff available.
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5.2.7: Encroachments: The feasibility of recovering the encroached lands and restoring
the highly degraded habitat in the north-eastern part of the NSTR (Nagarjunasagar Division)
needs to quickly evaluated and necessary steps taken to implement restoration. If it
is not feasible to restore some areas then appropriate boundary rationalization should be
contemplated to exclude such areas from the reserve and, as a compensatory action, include
good forests from adjoining Reserve Forests.
5.3: SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ON TOR (iii):
Based on the problems outlined at 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 above, we make the following
suggestions/recommendations:
5.3.1: Territorial duties: Unburden the NSTR Field Director and Divisional Forest Officers
from all territorial division duties and responsibilities including implementation of forestry
projects/schemes like FDA, plantations, NREGA etc and rural development work as special
officers in Mandals. This is vital to ensure focused administration of the Tiger Reserve
based on an approved management plan.
5.3.2: Streamlining: The system of routing proposals and management plans of the TR to
the Government and onto NTCA requires to be streamlined, with the CWLW acting as the
final nodal authority at the State level.
5.3.3: Fund release: Procedures pertaining to release/availability of funds to the Tiger Reserve
even for implementation of approved protection activities may require further streamlining
and simplification.
5.3.4: Township: A thorough review of the actual functional and operational requirements
of staff and infrastructure at the irrigation township of Sundipenta must be carried out and
all unnecessary or superfluous infrastructure including private and government buildings,
quarters and other human artifacts must be identified and shifted out, since much of the
township is situated on Reserved Forest land. Appropriate administrative directions must
be issued to enable Forest Department to resume all surplus forestland currently under the
control of the irrigation department in a time bound manner. This is extremely important not
only to minimize human pressure on the adjacent TR but also to eliminate continued influx
of people within the limits of the TR. An extract from the CAG Report of 2006, which has
audit observations on the said issue is at ANNEXURE – H.
5.3.5: SLBC: A thorough inspection and review of the construction of the Srisailam Left
Bank Canal Project (SLBC) by M/s Jaiprakash Industries which is under implementation
within the limits of the Core/critical habitat must be immediately carried out by NTCA/MoEF
to determine violations of dumping overburden, unauthorized construction of roads etc.
Based on a preliminary field assessments and perusal of some documents on the file of
the Field Director, prima facie it appears that the project is being implemented without all
mandatory prior permissions as required under the WLPA and as mandated by various orders
of the Supreme Court. The CAG Report of 2007, Chapter IV Audit of transactions and
Report No. 18 of 2006 on Tiger Reserves (ANNEXURE – J) have made other observations
on major violations which requires to be acted upon.
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5.3.6: Landscape Plan: Advise the State Government to finalize and notify a landscape
level plan integrating the plans of various Government agencies including the ITDA, Irrigation
department, Animal Husbandry Department, and Rural Development agencies, to
bring them in synch with the Tiger Conservation Plan in order to eliminate all activities/
schemes detrimental to the long-term conservation of tiger habitat. The focus should be on
bringing about compatible development, which improves livelihoods and lifestyles in a way
that it makes people less dependent on forest resources.
5.3.7: Relocation: The process of relocation of around 1100 families living in Nekkanti,
Ishtakameshwari, Paalutla, Vattivarlapalli, Chinnarutla penta, Tummalabailu and Peddacheruvu
villages within the Core/critical tiger habitat occupying an area of about 2000
acres must be fast tracked and put on top priority. APFD must be directed to submit a plan
and necessary funding may be provided by NTCA. Further, a total of 5703 claims have
been approved by the District level committee under the Forest Rights Act over an extent
of 16,380.416 acres in favour of tribal families within the limits of NSTR. However, a reasonably
high percentage of rights granted are outside the notified Core/Critical Tiger Habitat.
5.3.8: Notification of GBM: NTCA must issue a directive to the state to complete the
process of notification of the 1140 sq km GBM Sanctuary as a Core/Critical tiger habitat,
which the State Government has already agreed to do before the NBWL while securing
clearance for the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda irrigation project.
5.3.9: Fodder Banks: Engage with the Animal Husbandry Department to effectively implement
the fodder bank development scheme in a manner that eliminates the need to
bring in cattle from far off places into NSTR and also minimize the dependence of local
cattle on the forest for their fodder. The ITDA should not promote goat/sheep rearing in
and around the reserve and should work with the Animal Husbandry Department to improve
the breed/quality of cattle and complement that with stall feeding strategies so that
grazing in forests is reduced. Such approaches need to backed by strict enforcement of
the laws.
5.3.10: Alternatives: Alternate sources of energy need to be developed and encouraged
so as to reduce dependence on fuel wood from the forests. Alternate material should also
be found and encouraged to minimize removal of small timber for agricultural implements
and house construction. Similarly, alternate sources of income, income enhancing mechanisms,
etc. should be developed to minimize NTFP collection from forests.
5.3.11: Fire: The causes and impacts of fire need to be assessed and addressed. Law enforcement,
awareness building, fire prevention and fire fighting strategies all need to be
developed as a suite to improve fire management.
5.3.12: Weeds: Assessment of the impact and spread of weeds needs to be done so as to
develop appropriate responses to address any existing or future problems.
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5.3.13: Engagement with religious leaders: The religious sentiments of the devotees
who visit various religious places in NSTR should be tapped through awareness building
exercise. There should be a sustained engagement with religious leaders and Temple
Heads so as to leverage their support for implementing more regulated and less disturbing
and harmful pilgrimage to these sites, and also for supporting conservation. The Forest
Department needs to work with various temple authorities to enable this.
5.4: SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ON TOR (iv):
5.4.1: Initiatives with stake holders: There is a need to engage positively with the local
communities (ST and others) living in and around NSTR to gain their support. Unless they
become stakeholders in real terms, where they actually see a benefit for themselves, there
is little likelihood of them supporting conservation in this area. One of the basic means of
engaging them in a positive manner is to ensure that local stakeholders are the actual and
direct beneficiaries of any ecotourism that is promoted here. The focus should be on developing
the operational and administrative framework that ensures that these people directly
operate and benefit from all tourism related activities in and around the reserve. Capacity
building and initial financial and technical support to establish and run the infrastructure
would be necessary. The involvement of the Tourism Department or private operators
in the actual managing and running of such facilities should be discouraged.
5.4.2: Chenchus: The indigenous Chenchu field staff who are now employed as ‘Tiger
Watchers’ and ‘Protection Watchers’ can be a valuable asset to the TR, provided they are
adequately trained, supervised and managed. Presently the 116 Chenchus employed as
‘Tiger Trackers’ have been tasked with tracing pugmarks, an activity that has little value.
Instead they must be deployed as small teams under the command of a Beat Officer, to
actively look for snares and traps and to detect poachers and poaching activities.
5.4.3: ITDA: The Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) appears to be very active
within NSTR, providing a variety of services to tribal hamlets, including digging open wells,
providing mobile medical facilities, building houses and schools and providing livestock,
especially goats, to people residing in the park. Since some of these activities (such as
open wells, ad hoc constructions and rearing of goats or cattle) may adversely impact tigers,
other wildlife and their habitat, it would be desirable for a senior Tiger Reserve official
of the Forest Department to liaison with ITDA, vet proposals and suggest alternatives. The
focus of all major activities should be improve lifestyles and livelihoods in a manner that
weans forest dwellers from the unsustainable (in the long run), forest-dependent livelihood
they currently practice.
5.4.4: Cattle: It is vital to curb or regulate the unsustainable level of cattle grazing in
NSTR. While strengthening protection measures against cattle intrusions are necessary,
such measures alone may not be able to minimize or eliminate this serious problem in
NSTR. It was gathered during the field visit that a large percentage of cattle that intrude
and graze in NSTR cater to the demands of large companies that export beef Gulf countries
and other international destinations. It is our considered view that a detailed investigation
be carried out to assess the underlying problem to evolve a robust solution to tackle
the cattle menace.
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5.4.5: Unique opportunity: There is an unprecedented opportunity to consolidate nearly
13,000 sq km of Eastern Ghats habitat in the contiguous landscape made up of RFs and
PAs south of the Gundla Brameshwaram Sanctuary, extending all the way down to Chitoor.
Besides allowing tigers to range beyond the boundaries of the TR, safeguarding this
larger landscape will be highly beneficial to a vast variety of Eastern Ghats flora and fauna,
such as the endangered Great Indian bustard, Jerdon’s courser and the red sanders tree,
while, at the same time, securing the region’s watersheds. It may also allow the elephant
population from the Sri Venkateshwara National Park in Chitoor and Cuddapah Districts of
A.P. to extend their range into Gundla Brameshwaram Sanctuary and even into NSTR in
the future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Field Director, DFOs, ACFs,
RFOs, Beat Officers and frontline staff of NSTR during the field visit.
