Villagers illegally felling trees in Kawal tiger reserve: Forest officials
ADILABAD: Officials from Khanapur forest division claimed that around 250 Mysampet villagers had illegally felled trees including teak in compartment No.s 200 and 202 of Mysampet West that falls in the core area of the Kawal tiger reserve (KTR) in Kaddam mandal of Nirmal district. They said that trees were felled over four hectares.
Forest officials booked cases against the villagers, including for encroaching the core area of the reserve and destroying tiger habitat on September 28. They also lodged a complaint with the local police.
They said that the villagers had resorted to illegal clearing of the forest for podu cultivation as they were upset by the inordinate delay in relocating their village. The villagers wanted to get benefits from government welfare schemes, which were being denied to them.
Officials informed the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) about the delay in relocating the village and about locals claiming land after the commencement of surveys on the claims on podu lands five days ago.
The forest department officials say that the entire layout plans for houses and lands were completed and they are waiting for the meeting of the district level implementation committee for relocation of the village. The district collector has called for the meeting on October 11.
