Tiger on the Prowl Sparks Tension Around Rajanagaram

The continued movement of a Tiger in and around Rajanagaram in East Godavari district has caused concern among residents over the past several days. Responding to the situation, Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh assured the public that there was no need for panic and that the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure public safety.

After the State Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Minister reviewed the situation with district forest officials. He said the Forest Department was using advanced technology to track theTiger’s movement. Surveillance has been intensified with the deployment of drones, high-definition trap cameras and monitoring teams. Cages have been strategically placed in areas where the animal’s presence was confirmed, including Torreddu, Seethanagaram and Rajanagaram .

The Minister said public safety remains the government’s highest priority and directed officials to immediately install warning boards along forest fringes and agricultural fields. He advised farmers and agricultural workers to avoid moving alone and to go in groups until the Tiger is captured. In view of recent cattle attacks in Torreddu village , residents were also advised to keep cattle sheds well-lit during night hours.

Stating that the situation is under continuous monitoring, the Minister said precautionary holidays were declared for schools in the surrounding areas over the past two days. Based on current inputs, the Tiger is believed to be moving around the Rajamahendravaram region. He appealed to residents to remain alert and strictly follow advisories issued by forest officials, assuring that efforts were underway to safely capture the animal at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Tiger was reportedly sighted near Diwan Cheruvu , close to Rajamahendravaram, heightening anxiety among people in nearby urban and suburban areas. Forest officials said the Tiger entered Koyyalagudem in Eluru district on January 20 , crossed the Godavari river from Pattiseema on January 31 , and entered Chinakondepudi village in Seethanagaram mandal . Footprints were later found at Venkatanagaram in rural Rajamahendravaram on February 2 , prompting alerts to residents of Torreddu, Venkatanagaram and Katheru villages.

On February 1 , the Tiger attacked and killed two cows and a calf in Torreddu village . On Tuesday morning, it was tracked moving from Kolamuru towards Gadala , and by nightfall, it reportedly passed beneath the Gaman Bridge , crossed Autonagar , and entered a coconut grove located between SVPS Function Hall and Delhi Public School .

As the coconut grove is situated close to the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada National Highway , fear has intensified in the area. Officials have stepped up security measures. Police contacted a gardener’s family living in a thatched house within the grove and instructed them to remain indoors until further notice.