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Tigers of the Eastern Ghats
Tigers of the Eastern Ghats
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Tigers of the Eastern Ghats
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Seshachalam ready to welcome tigers
*This image is copyright of its original author The talk of tigers moving into Seshachalam hills has been in the air for quite some time, but it has not happened yet.  Quote:Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) currently bustles with over 40 big cats. [Actually, “We expect the count to be at least 45 now,” Mr. Saravan told The Hindu after overseeing the installation of sophisticated cameras with infrared sensors.- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a...944519.ece] TIRUPATI: Quote:A corridor management plan to connect it with Seshachalam by developing vegetative stretches in Gundla Brahmeswara sanctuary and Lanka Malleswara sanctuary was mooted in 2013, which however did not make any headway. It was proposed under this plan to:
Quote:A tiger was sighted in late 50s at Bhakarapet area, according to official accounts.While unconfirmed sources indicate the last sighting as latest as in 1985-1990 period in Mamandur area. The "fragmentation" of Seshachalam and Veligonda hill ranges happened with the laying of a railway line between Renigunta and Guntakal by the British  (lol, I travelled on that track though), and the development of Tirupati-Kadapa highway a few decades back widened the gulf.The much-talked about corridor does exist, but for some dry patches that prevent the territorial animal from exploring newer routes. “Last year, we found pug marks similar to those of a tiger in Talakona area. In a bid to confirm the same, we installed "twenty camera traps" in the vicinity, but no direct evidence has been found to corroborate it”, says B.K. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle. Even as the tiger population was wiped out over a period, Mr. Singh expects the animal to arrive into the territory any time, between two years and a decade.  Migration While Nallamala has sufficient numbers, outward migration generally happens when the dominant ones force the young ones out or when the adult males stray to areas that have sufficient green cover and prey base. Quote:“Migration from NSTR (Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger reserve) into Lanka Malleswara has already started, where the animal has arrived up to the Somasila backwaters. But for some narrow patches, the corridor is intact”, observes NSTR Conservator of Forest S. Saravanan. From (^^above said) Somasila, the tiger is expected to move into Seshachalam via Veligonda. Seshachalam is a verdant range of hills with no human habitations except Tirumala. However, there are two dry patches, one near the Somasila project and the other that links Veligonda to Seshachalam. Even if the first is linked and the animal crosses over, the second one is a bit complicated as it is here that the Tirupati-Kadapa railway line and highway pass through, possibly preventing the animal from crossing over towards Tirumala. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vij...543173.ece I want to give all an idea about Seshachalam hill ranges in Rayalasema of Andhra Pradesh. It is a Biosphere Reserve now after its designation by Indian govt in 2010 and it is 2nd newest to be notified so after Panna (2011). I visited Tirumala Hills/peaks (*n) of Tirupati city (Spiritual capital of AP) city in chittoor district of Andhra pradesh (*n=7, in those 7 peaks, 1 of it is "Venkatadri" the last 7th peak on which the World famous Sri Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple occurs). I visited tirumala of that Seshachalam Range in 2018, July 12th for a pilgrimage trip. Tirumala along with the Natural Arch (provided in Attachment) considered as National Geographic-Natural Heritage Monument. The reserve also has Sri Venkateshwara National Park and Sri Venkateswara Zoological Garden/Park (every time I miss to see them both due to time lack). I trekked 3550 steps called "Alipiri Metlu" making a total distance of 11 km on bare foot from Alipiri to Tirumala Temple in 1 and 1/2 hrs and gone to an elevation of 3200ft (approx 1000 mt) above sea level for holy purpose though there is lesser stairs about 2400 in "Srivari metlu" and more flatter terrian. It requires fitness and prowess to do so. Though My feet went numb with trauma. I saw a couple of wild sambar deer (Rusa unicolar- Biggest Asian deer) in which the stag was huge, frightened and fled before I took an picture. As it is the only part of the reserve with human habitation due to the temple. Wild animals roam freely on either sides of the foot way. They often come close due to food availability in food stalls along the way, People sometimes feed them. Leopard sightings are rare during the day, they come only in twilight; Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) attacks often occur in this zone (thank god I didn't see any big cat then, in future, it is going to be a tiger habitat, tigers are locally extinct until last year ending). Unfortunately due to heavy road accidents take many animals lives inc leopards. During the trekking, I saw some types of unidentifiable wild bird types and insects, wild Hanuman Langurs (Semnopithecus entilus), Rhesus macaque monkey (Macaca mulatta), Indian/Malabar Giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), 3 temple tamed Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Along the way, there is a cheetal (spotted deer- Axis axis) breeding centre called Tirumala Deer park reserve, so I got a chance to interact with them, clicked some selfies, fed some veggies that I've got and gave some water (God,They are damn cute!). Hope you all enjoyed reading my experience. Regards...  *This image is copyright of its original author Natural Arch in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India They come close to humans though they are wild because along the way, food stalls, markets are common. So they come close. (Images are to show how suitably seshachalam reserve can be a tiger habitat.)  *This image is copyright of its original author Spotted deer in the Tirumala deer park reserve. (It is also along the foot steps way) |
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