Tirumala: Rare species caught on cam in TTD forest

Tirumala: The lush green forests of Seshachala Ranges, which houses the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala is a dwelling place for hundreds of rare aves, fauna and other endangered species which are unique to these forests alone.

The Forest wing of TTD has recently procured camera traps and has placed them in the forest areas of Tirumala. This is taken up as a part of the protection of these endangered species living in Tirumala ranges.

Some of the rare, vulnerable and endangered species that were captured include four-horned antelope which is popular in the vernacular language as 'Konda Gorre', Asian palm civet (Punugupilli), Indian wild dog (Adivi Kukka), Grey jungle fowl (Adivi Kodi), leopard (Chirutha), mongoose (Mungisa), mouse deer (Mushika Jinka), porcupine (Mulla Pandi), sambar (Kaniti) and sloth bear (Elugubanti).

TTD DFO D Phani Kumar Naidu said the TTD forest was spread in about 2,700 hectares of the 82,500 hectares of Seshachala forests where TTD took up protection of wildlife along with raising plantations. TTD has set up state of art cameras at Parveti Mandapam, Srigandha Vanam, Kumaradhara-Pasupudhara dam road, Dharmagiri, Papavinasanam and Seshachala forest borders lines. These cameras identify the animals through long distance sensors and photographed them both during day and night.

In areas of movement of animals, the TTD will put up sign and display boards to enlighten the pilgrims on walking paths of Tirumala. The TTD will also set up water tanks and other protective measures in the forest belt to support the needs of wild animals.