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Leopard movement sparks concerns in Tirupati
In Short
Residents of over a dozen Tirupati colonies near Seshachalam forest urge officials to build a permanent protective wall to stop leopard incursions.
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Leopard movement sparks concerns in Tirupati
Tirupati: At least a dozen residential colonies bordering the Seshachalam forest on the outskirts of Tirupati have been seeking a permanent safety arrangement to prevent wild animals, particularly leopards, from entering inhabited areas. Residents say the absence of an effective boundary between the forest and their settlements has left them vulnerable to wildlife movement, especially after dark.
The affected areas include Sivajyothi Nagar, Kranthi Nagar, Jeevakona, BD Colony, Upadhyaya Nagar, SLV Nagar, Thimminaidupalem Harijanawada and Dalitawada, Reddy Bhavan area, Garudadri Nagar and Bhupal Housing Colony. Several of these settlements around Rajiv Nagar and Thimminaidupalem have reported leopard movement in residential surroundings.
The residents’ demand for a permanent protective wall dates back several years. They have repeatedly approached the forest department and elected representatives, seeking measures to prevent animals from straying into their neighbourhoods. However, the issue continues to persist without a lasting solution.
One of the major concerns is the disappearance of the protective trenches that once separated the forest from human settlements. The forest department had dug these trenches along the stretch from Kapilatheertham to Thimminaidupalem. Over the years, they became filled with soil and vegetation due to inadequate maintenance and gradually lost their effectiveness.
With the trenches no longer providing an effective barrier, leopards venturing out of the forest in search of food and water can reach residential streets and premises. CCTV footage showing their movement in colonies has further heightened concerns among residents. Some animals have also reportedly jumped over compound walls.
Residents want the Tirupati Municipal Corporation and the forest department to jointly address the issue instead of relying on temporary interventions following individual incidents. They have sought restoration of the old trenches and construction of a permanent protective barrier along vulnerable stretches of the forest boundary.
