Wild cats on prowl, villagers cringe in fear
Scarcity of drinking water inside Bontagutta forest area compels the wild animals to come out and venture into human habitation which not only left villagers terrified, but also caused death to cattle frequently at Mahabubnagar.
Mahabubnagar: Scarcity of drinking water inside Bontagutta forest area compels the wild animals to come out and venture into human habitation which not only left villagers terrified, but also caused death to cattle frequently at Mahabubnagar. The same was noticed when a spotted deer was found killed by a cheetah at the Shiva temple near Kotta Thanda of Malleboenpally village at Jadcherla Mandal here on Tuesday.
According to eye witnesses, the pugs of cheetah were found alongside the dead spotted deer. It is believed that both of them might have encountered each other while roaming in search of drinking water in the pond (koneru) at the back side of the temple. Having spotted the deer at the koneru, the cheetah killed it.
The Bontagutta forest, half a kilometre from the Shiva temple has no water resources now. “Literally all of them have gone dry. These wild animals usually come out during night in search of water and food. As the koneru is the only water body left, these animals are now coming here in search of water,” said Mahender, the Forest Range Officer of Mahabubnagar.
However, the villagers alleged that it is the negligence of the forest department as they have failed to provide drinking water to wild animals here. They should have at least constructed barricades around the forests facing villages. Moreover, the uncontrolled digging and deforestation by real-estate firms along the borders of the forest is also disturbing the ecosystem, which forces wild animals to venture into human habitations.
"We are terrified with this incident. Every day hundreds of devotees come here to pray. About 4-5 thousand people reside in surrounding 10-12 villages. Now we are worried about their safety. We request the concerned officials to provide proper protection," said Mudavath Venkateshwarlu, Chairman of the temple.
The local villagers have also encountered similar incidents of cheetah-attacks on their cattle. "Recently a cheetah has killed a cow and its calf. Almost ten goats have been eaten up by wild animals here," explained M Shanker and M Harichander, residents of Mangalikunta Thanda, near
the forest.
Niranjan, a Beat officer said, "There are 6-7 cheetahs and around 150-200 spotted deer in this forest. This year due to drought there is water scarcity. Deer and the cheetah might have come here in search of water. Unfortunately, the wild cat has spotted the deer and killed it," explained the officer. However, the forest department has not taken any measure to prevent wild animals to venture into human habitations.
"The entire forest region is more than 10-15 kilometers. It is not possible to construct barricades all along the forest boundaries. Only precaution is people must shun venturing into the forest and be cautious while travelling on the roads during nights," said Niranjan. Wild cats’ desperate movement in human habitations left the Thanda dwellers terrified.
While complaining about the indifferent attitude of the forest officials, Hemla Naik, a villager, who lost his goat recently to wild cat, expressed fear. However, the forest department has a provision of providing compensation for death of cattle due to wild animals. "We will provide compensation to the villagers if the wild animals kill cows and calves. However death of goat and sheep by wild animals will not fetch compensation," says Niranjan.
