Hyderabad, Jan 27 (NationPress) Despite the recent presence of tigers in areas close to human settlements, the Telangana State Forest Department reassured that these majestic creatures are deliberately steering clear of human interactions and do not pose any danger to human safety.

The department has been vigilant since tigers began appearing in regions such as Peddapally, Karimnagar, Jagityal, Kamareddy, Siddipet, and Yadadri.

Recently, tigers have been sighted in agricultural settings near villages across several districts in Telangana. The Forest Department is actively monitoring their movements in these human-influenced habitats.

Although tigers have traversed through agricultural fields and residential areas, there have been no direct sightings reported by villagers. These tigers are intentionally avoiding contact with humans, ensuring public safety, according to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (FAC) Kshitija.

She elaborated on the various measures taken by the Forest Department to track tiger movements.

The District Forest Officers (DFOs) are responsible for continuous surveillance of the tigers under a 24/7 monitoring system in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Forest staff teams have been deployed for ongoing observation and tracking to identify potential movement patterns and to keep villagers informed about tiger activity.

DFOs are collaborating with local District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to manage crowds at cattle kill sites and maintain order for public safety in affected areas.

Local Panchayat Officers have been advised to inform villagers to limit unnecessary movements in sensitive regions and to communicate any tiger sightings to nearby Forest officials.

The Forest Department has also engaged the Superintending Engineer TGSPDCL to investigate illegal electric lines in agricultural areas to prevent electrocution incidents, thus safeguarding both the tigers and local livestock.

In accordance with NTCA's SOP, a dedicated committee has been established to oversee tiger movements in human-dominated landscapes, led by a Conservator of Forests and comprising veterinary professionals, NGOs, wildlife specialists, and Forest officials.

A wildlife expert and veterinarian from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been consulted to provide recommendations, which are now being implemented.

Tiger trap cages from Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad are prepared for relocation to areas with observed tiger movements if necessary.

Veterinary teams from zoological parks and tiger reserves, equipped with tranquilizing tools, are on standby for rapid deployment if needed.

Additionally, tiger trackers from Kawal and Amrabad Tiger Reserves remain on alert to monitor tiger movements in affected districts, and assistance from experts, volunteers, and NGOs is being solicited as required.

The Forest Department head also announced plans to utilize thermal drones for nighttime monitoring of tiger movements.

A state-level technical committee incorporating experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is being assembled for prompt guidance on issues related to tiger straying and other wildlife matters.