The forest department has deployed drones to monitor fires along the tourist route to Srisailam, home of the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. Every year, thousands of devotees pass through the Tiger Reserve on foot to reach Srisailam for darshan during the Mahashivaratri Brahmotsavams.
As the devotees trek through the tiger reserve, the forest department has also taken steps to control plastic pollution, prevent fires and prevent devotees from entering the main areas of the reserve.
Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director Project Tiger Circle, Nandyal, B. Vijaya Kumar, said the Atmakur Project Tiger Division staff, including officers, conservators and volunteers, were working to regulate the use of single-use plastics and ensure the welfare of pilgrims.
Explaining the facilities provided to the devotees, Mr. Vijaya Kumar said that they have arranged drinking water facilities at seven places starting from the entry point of Tiger Reserve to Bheemunikolan. Similarly, five medical camps were set up with the help of private hospitals to supply medicines and medical assistance to the devotees. Butter milk was also offered to the devotees.
“Nearly 400 forest personnel, including conservation guards and volunteers, have been deployed in three shifts at all the seven sites to regulate the adverse effects on biodiversity,” he said. In addition, all food suppliers were educated on the importance of using steel plates and glasses for food supply and maintaining plastic-free premises. He added that five sites were specifically used for food supply.
“Specialized forest personnel have also been deployed with stretchers to assist pilgrims who are suffering from medical problems or need immediate emergency,” he said. A command control room has been set up at the Atmakur headquarters for round-the-clock monitoring.
“NSTR staff are also monitoring the movement of tigers driven out of the central area of the Tiger Reserve,” he said.
Mr. Vijaya Kumar further requested the district administration to extend help in manning the rush stalwarts as Project Tiger was running with only 30 percent of their manpower. He also asked the pilgrims to extend their primary responsibility to protect natural resources.
Meanwhile, officials announced that the wild pig had reportedly died due to ingesting plastic waste left by devotees last year. Moreover, a forest fire was reported near Bheemunikolan last year and they have tried to prevent such incidents this year.
Forest personnel have also introduced measures to prohibit devotees from carrying plastic bags and other items into the forest and intensified checks. In an effort to regulate the entry of plastics into the forest, forest personnel recently stopped a vehicle of a hotel in Srisailam that was transporting various items to Shikharam and seized 150 bundles of plastic plates from them.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 20:16 IST