NSTR boosts wildlife protection with 20 anti-poaching camps in Giddalur

The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) authorities have intensified its wildlife protection measures by establishing 20 anti-poaching camps (APCs) and deploying over 100 trained security personnel in Giddalur Project Tiger Division after a couple of tiger deaths were reported in the area last month.“Already, there are 14 APCs in the division, and recently six new APCs were set up with five trained guards in each camp. They are continuously patrolling the forests and wildlife reserves day and night to prevent illegal hunting of wild animals, particularly tigers,” Giddalur Division Deputy Director Nisha Kumari told the The Hindu on Thursday.Based on the directions of Nandyal Project Tiger Circle Conservator of Forests and Field Director Yesoda Bai R., a four-member high-level committee was recently constituted. The committee was formed to ensure necessary support for establishing new base camp infrastructure and manpower to strengthen the forest protection in the NSTR.Within 7-8 days of the tiger carcass being found in the Racherla forest beat, seven poachers were arrested by the officials, and tiger claws and limb bones were recovered from them. Racherla Forest Beat Officer (FBO) K. Lakshmanayak was suspended for alleged negligence in the discharge of duties regarding the protection and monitoring of tigers within his beat.Meanwhile, another young tiger reportedly died inside the forest area in Turimella Range of Giddalur Division on Monday (September 7, 2026) at around 8 p.m. The tiger carcass was discovered during regular patrolling by the staff. Immediately, a post-mortem was conducted as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Standard Operating Procedure.Speaking on the incident, Ms. Nisha Kumari said, “All body parts of the three-year-old male tiger, including its claws, were intact, ruling out any apparent indication of poaching or removal of body parts. The reason for the tiger’s death is natural, due to infighting, which is a natural phenomenon that usually occurs among the wild animals.” Published - September 10, 2026 07:15 pm IST