Government launches inquiry into recent tiger deaths in Srisailam Reserve

Three tiger deaths reported within less than three weeks in July have raised fresh concerns over wildlife protection in Andhra Pradesh, prompting the State government to order a high-level inquiry into the incidents in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).

The recent deaths were reported from deep forest areas within the reserve. A tiger was found dead on July 13 at the Mustafa Rasta area in Ramanna Penta section of the Gundlabrahmeswaram Range under Nandyal Wildlife Division. Another tigress carcass was traced on July 29 near the VRSP Canal at Indireswaram West Beat in the same division. The third tiger carcass, meanwhile, was found on July 31 in the Racherla section of Gundlakamma Range under the Giddalur Division.

Earlier this year, the first tiger death was reported on May 24 at Gajulapalli in Chelama beat of Nandyal Wildlife Division. Forest officials said that the death was believed to be due to natural causes, while the reasons behind the three recent deaths have yet to be established.

According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), four tiger deaths have been officially recorded from Andhra Pradesh in 2026, all within the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, with the latest entries corresponding to the incidents reported between May and July.

A senior Forest official said that the causes of the deaths were under investigation and that the State government had constituted a committee to ascertain the reasons.

Acting on the reports, Environment and Forests department Principal Secretary Kantilal Dande issued G.O. Rt. No. 91 on August 3 (Monday) constituting a high-level committee headed by retired IFS officer P. Mallikharjuna Rao, Advisor to the Government on Forest Development Activities. The panel was asked to submit a factual report within 72 hours and recommend long-term conservation measures within two months.

The committee includes Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Rahul Pandey, B. Rajasekhar of WWF-India, wildlife conservationist Imran Siddiqui, and retired zoo official M. Naveen Kumar. Besides investigating the tiger deaths, the panel will recommend measures to strengthen anti-poaching operations, improve patrol systems, mitigate human-wildlife conflict, conserve wildlife corridors, enhance scientific monitoring, encourage community participation and promote sustainable eco-tourism to prevent similar incidents in the future.