Seven held in tiger poaching case at Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Seven people have been arrested in connection with the poaching of an adult tiger at the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh. The arrests were made on Tuesday in Giddalur, Markapuram district, four days after the carcass was discovered in the Racherla forest beat under the Giddalur division.
The operation was carried out by a team comprising the Giddalur Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the Gundlakamma Forest Range Officer (FRO), the Assistant Range Officer (ARO), the NSTR veterinarian, and other forest staff. The team acted on intelligence and technical inputs to track down the suspects.
According to forest officials, the carcass of the adult tiger was found on July 31, 2026. A post-mortem was conducted at the site, and samples were collected and sent for forensic analysis to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation was launched on the instructions of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests K. Pawan Kalyan, who directed the forest department to conduct a thorough inquiry.
The forest department registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and formed multiple teams to investigate. The use of a dog squad and technological support helped narrow down the suspects. During the operation, the officials recovered seven tiger claws, limb bones, a country-made firearm, and an axe from the accused.
Nisha Kumari, Deputy Director of the Giddalur Project Tiger Division, said in a statement: “The Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife (HANUMAN) project team played a key role in the investigation. I would also like to extend thanks to Markapuram district Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Harshavadhan Raju and police officials for their active support in the case. Further probe in the case will continue.”
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides stringent punishment for poaching, including imprisonment and fines. Tiger poaching is a serious offence, as tigers are listed under Schedule I of the Act, which grants them the highest level of legal protection.
The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India, spread across five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is a crucial habitat for the endangered Bengal tiger and houses a significant population of the species. The reserve is also home to other wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, and various deer species.
Wildlife conservationists have expressed concern over the incident, stressing the need for enhanced surveillance and community involvement to prevent such crimes. Forest officials have assured that the investigation will be thorough and that all those involved will be brought to justice.
The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated, and authorities are investigating whether they were part of a larger poaching network. Further arrests are expected as the probe continues, officials said.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting India's wildlife, particularly in large and remote reserves like NSTR. The state government and the forest department have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the region's biodiversity and enforcing wildlife laws strictly.
