Andhra Pradesh Orders Major Prey Reintroduction to Stabilize Nallamala Tiger Population
State wildlife authorities will relocate Indian bison from central India to the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to strengthen the carnivore food chain. The initiative includes importing four female tigers to diversify the genetic pool within India’s largest tiger sanctuary.
Key takeaways
- Andhra Pradesh will begin translocating Indian bison from central India to the Nallamala forests and NSTR starting in September.
- The project aims to provide a sustainable food source for the 68 tigers and 11 cubs currently residing in the NSTR-Seshachalam region.
- Four female tigers from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh will be introduced to the NSTR to improve the population's genetic health.
- Hunting and cattle-borne diseases previously wiped out the gaur population in the Nallamala hills, despite 350 gaurs remaining in other state districts.
Restoring the Herbivore-Carnivore Balance
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is launching a strategic restoration project to rebuild the Indian bison (gaur) population within the Nallamala hills and the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). Starting in September, wild bovines will be translocated from central India with technical assistance from the Wildlife Institute of India. This move intends to address a critical food shortage for the region's apex predators, specifically tigers and leopards.
While the state currently hosts between 300 and 350 gaurs in the Paderu, Chintapalli, Polavaram, and Chinturu regions, the species has largely vanished from the NSTR. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao identified several factors for this decline:
- Historical poaching and hunting activities.
- Progressive loss of natural habitat.
- Fatal transmission of diseases from domestic cattle to wild herds.
Expansion of the Tiger Population
Beyond prey management, the state is actively increasing the number of big cats in the 5,443 sq km NSTR facility. Plans are finalized to relocate four female tigers—two from Madhya Pradesh and two from Chandrapur, Maharashtra—into the reserve. According to recent data, the NSTR-Seshachalam region currently supports 68 adult tigers and 11 cubs.
Mr. Chalapathi Rao emphasized that the introduction of new tigers and the stabilization of the gaur population will enhance genetic diversity across the Eastern Ghats. Officials view the presence of these apex predators as the primary metric for gauging the overall ecological health of the habitat. The reintroduction efforts follow a recent investigation into tiger mortality at the Atmakur division in Nandyal district, highlighting the urgency of maintaining a robust ecosystem.
Source: The Hindu — National
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