Mongabay · Climate & nature

Infrastructure Hinders Tiger Repopulation in Indian Reserve

Despite abundant prey, Kawal Tiger Reserve in India lacks resident tigers due to significant infrastructure barriers and human settlements.

Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana, India, has ample prey like deer and wild pigs but no resident tigers. Researchers have observed only a few tigers, mostly males, entering from neighboring Maharashtra since 2015.

Lead researcher Imran Siddiqui explained that tigers face numerous obstacles during their journey to Kawal, including coal mines, irrigation projects, electrified fences, a major railway line, and National Highway 44, which collectively deter dispersing tigers.

Siddiqui noted that while male tigers may attempt to navigate these risks, female tigers are more hesitant due to the perceived threats, which is crucial for establishing a breeding population.

The reserve itself contains 37 villages and 67 settlements within its core area, hindering the creation of undisturbed habitat necessary for tiger conservation.

Relocation of Indigenous Adivasi communities from the core area has been problematic, with many families reporting unfulfilled promises regarding land and housing.

Wildlife managers have considered 'assisted dispersal' by airlifting tigers, but researchers like Siddiqui and local leaders like Siddam Bhujang Rao argue this is not a sustainable solution for fragmented corridors and broken ecosystems.

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