Telangana: Locals demand 25-km fencing of road through Kawal Tiger Reserve

Adilabad: A team of local representatives led by Khanapur MLA Ajmeera Rekha Naik has met PCCF R.M. Dobriyal seeking movement of vehicles through the Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) round the clock.

Currently, the forest department does not allow the movement of heavy vehicles through KTR during the night time towards Mancherial from Utnoor and towards Jannaram from Nirmal. The restriction has been imposed so as not to disturb the wildlife.

As a result, transport vehicles are forced to take an alternative route covering 60 km additional distance to enter Adilabad, Asifabad and Jannaram via Dharmapuri and Kalamadugu from Karimnagar.

The representatives also sought permanent fencing on both sides of the main road for a distance of 25 km in Kawal Tiger Reserve, along with the creation of underpasses for wildlife to cross safely. The fencing suggested is for 10 km between Kadam and Indhanpalli on the Nirmal-Jannaram-Mancherial route and for 15 km from Utnoor to Indhanpalli on the Adilabad-Jannaram-Mancherial route.

The fencing, like in Pench Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra, has been proposed so that vehicles can move freely round the clock through KTR without any disturbance.

Public representatives say this will benefit local people as well as transporters, who can save on fuel costs that they incur to avoid Kawal Tiger Reserve during the night time.

MLA Rekha Naik also asked forest department to stop collecting taxes from vehicles in the name of environment cess from vehicle owners at Talapalapur, Indhanpalli, Pandavpur and Kothagudem check posts.