Pawan Kalyan highlights Tiger conservation

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Marking International Tiger Day, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forests & Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan reaffirmed the state’s commitment to wildlife conservation, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen tiger protection while unveiling a major initiative to address the long-standing human-elephant conflict in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

In a message issued on the occasion, Pawan Kalyan described the tiger as a symbol of India’s biodiversity and ecological balance, stressing that protecting the species also safeguards forests, water resources and wildlife habitats. He said Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a model in tiger conservation, with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), the country’s largest tiger reserve, playing a key role in preserving wildlife. According to the latest estimates, the NSTR-Seshachalam landscape is home to 68 tigers and 11 cubs.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government has strengthened anti-poaching measures, expanded grassland development, increased prey availability and enhanced surveillance using drones, camera traps and other modern technologies. He also announced plans to increase anti-poaching camps in the NSTR from 89 to 150, creating employment opportunities for around 800 tribal youth. He further said the Centre has given in-principle approval for the translocation of four female tigers from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to improve genetic diversity in the Eastern Ghats.

Separately, Pawan Kalyan virtually inaugurated the Guchchimi Kumki Elephant Camp in Parvathipuram Manyam district, describing it as a scientific solution to the decades-old human-elephant conflict in the region. The camp has been established to manage the movement of wild elephants, reduce crop damage and protect human lives through the deployment of trained kumki elephants.

He said the initiative builds on the success of similar operations in Palamaner, where coordinated use of kumki elephants and modern technology significantly reduced elephant-related incidents. Expressing gratitude to the Karnataka government for providing four trained kumki elephants, Pawan Kalyan said the initiative reflects inter-state cooperation in wildlife conservation and aims to ensure a balance between environmental protection and public safety.