Railway Tracks Deadly Threat for Tigers in Kagaznagar Forest

ADILABAD: Tigers in the Kagaznagar Forest Division and those moving back and forth between Maharashtra and Telangana are facing threats to their lives from trains when crossing the railway tracks, especially in Sirpur (T) and Kagaznagar mandals.

Tiger movement is found in the forests near railway tracks. Their movement was found near Bheemanna temple in the forests of Vempaplli in Sirpur (T) mandal.

The Balharshah railway station is the next stop for express trains departing from Kagaznagar railway station while only passenger trains stop at Sirpur (T) railway station. Trains pick up speed while passing through the forest stretch.

There is every possibility of tigers being hit by trains when they cross the tracks. Several trains operated on these tracks from Secunderabad to New Delhi. There are incidents where wildlife animals were hit by trains when they crossed the railway track in Sirpur (T). There are no underpasses for safe crossing of wild animals from one side to another near railway tracks. A railway flyover was planned for the convenience of people but its construction is still pending.

Passenger trains halt at Vempalli railway station and the next railway station is Sirpur (T). The railway track passes through forests and plantations from Kagaznagar railway station to Sirpur (T). The same situation continues at Makodi and Wirur railway stations and the railway stations in Chandrapur district bordering Maharashtra. The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located in Chandrapur district.

Forest officials said that tigers migrated to Kagaznagar Division from neighbouring Tippeshwar and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Some of the tigers migrate to Cheelapelli, Chinna and Pedda-Malini forest areas in Kagaznagar Forest Range via Makodi forests. Cheelapelli forest area has become a suitable habitat for tigers with its abundant water and forest areas with bamboo trees.

The forest department had earlier proposed underpasses (bridges) at three identified places on National Highway 363 going through Mancherial, Asifabad to Chandrapur for the smooth passage of tigers on NH-363.

The forest department identified National Highway 363 and the railway tracks as an impediment to the free passage of tigers into the core area of Kawal Tiger Reserve from Thadoba Andhari and Tippeshwar Tiger Reserves of bordering Maharashtra.