Raise tiger base camps to 125 within a month, panel tells Andhra Pradesh
The committee, set up after a tiger was killed in the Giddalur division of the NSTR in July, has recommended four field staff at every camp, drone surveillance down to the Forest Section Officer level, and training for field staff every 15 days
Andhra Pradesh's High-Level Committee has recommended increasing tiger protection base camps from 100 to 125 within a month to enhance security measures. Chairman P. Mallikharjuna Rao, speaking to The Hindu, emphasized that at least four field staff should be stationed at every camp. The committee was formed following the suspicious killing of a tiger in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in July.
Suspected poaching remains a significant threat to wildlife in the region, with poachers targeting valuable body parts for commercial purposes. The committee noted that Andhra Pradesh's extensive tiger reserve area necessitates robust surveillance and field-level protection. Currently, camera traps are deployed at about 900 identified points, with two cameras at each location.
The committee suggested extending drone surveillance to the Forest Section Officer level and enhancing coordination with the police. They also recommended conducting frequent tiger audits, particularly in the NSTR, and preparing beat and base-camp resource maps. The committee confirmed that Andhra Pradesh's tiger population remains healthy, with 15 or more breeding females, which is considered favorable for population stability and growth.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
