No human activity till Sep at Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Forest Department enforces its annual three-month ban for breeding season

Eco-tourism destinations such as Ishtakameswari temple, Gundla Brahmeswaram, Bairluty Jungle Camp, Tummalabailu and Dornala-Srisailam forest safari will remain closed to human movement

Metro India News | Nandyal

The Andhra Pradesh Forest department has enforced the annual three-month ban, drawing a curtain on human activity to facilitate the big cats an uninterrupted breeding season. The ban came into force at the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) on July 1 and will end on September 30.

The seasonal restrictions apply to the NSTR forest divisions of Nandyal, Atmakur, Markapur and Giddalur, spanning large parts of Nandyal, Prakasam and Palnadu districts, and extending into the contiguous Nallamala forests of Telangana. Ravi Babu, a wildlife conservationist said that the forest will be bereft of any safari vehicles and absolutely no human activity for three months. However, for the Chenchu families living in the forest comes at a price as they would be forbidden from collecting honey, and other produce that the forest offers.

The Chenchus are demanding for financial help on the lines of how fishermen are provided when they are not allowed to venture into sea. According to Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA), there are 47,000 Chenchus in the Nallamala ranges and in Telangana. Why the ban is important to protect the big cats is due to the peculiar behaviour. Male and female mate in preferred habitats, vehicular traffic and noise results in stress.