Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Migrating Tigers Disrupt Cotton Farming Along Maharashtra Borders
Tigers have moved into villages near the Maharashtra border.
Their presence is making farmers and farm workers afraid.
Some workers have stopped going to cotton fields.
This is delaying important jobs such as removing weeds and spraying crops.
People have seen tiger footprints and, in some places, the animals themselves.
One woman fainted after seeing a tiger nearby.
Forest officials are using cameras and trackers to follow the animals.
They are also telling villagers when it is safer to visit their fields.
Tiger movement has disrupted cotton-farming work in border villages of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts.
Farmers said frightened agricultural laborers stopped reporting for weeding, fertilizer application and pesticide spraying.
Tiger pugmarks and sightings were reported in several villages, including Vadoor, Arli (T), Agarguda and Kankalamma gutta.
Forest officials deployed animal trackers and CCTV cameras, and advised residents to enter fields only after 10 a.m. and leave by 4 p.m.
Officials confirmed two tigers from pugmarks and camera footage; one was identified as female, while the other may be a cub or leopard.
- Who
- Farmers, agricultural laborers, villagers and forest officials in Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts are involved.
- What
- Migrating tigers have caused fear, disrupted farm work and prompted a forest-department tracking and awareness operation.
- When
- Farmers reported that laborers had stayed away for the previous two days; a wild-boar carcass was found two days earlier.
- Where
- Border villages in Bheempur, Penchikalpet and Kautala mandals, including Arli (T), Vadoor, Agarguda and Kankalamma gutta.
- Why
- The tigers are believed to have crossed the Penganga River from Maharashtra’s Thippeshwar Tiger Reserve, creating concerns about human-animal encounters.
Farmers’ Concerns
Forest Department’s Response
Access to farmland
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers said fear of tiger encounters has kept agricultural laborers away, delaying essential cotton-field operations.
Forest Department’s Response
Officials advised farmers to work during restricted daylight hours, entering fields after 10 a.m. and returning by 4 p.m.
Managing the tiger movement
Farmers’ Concerns
Villagers reported sightings, pugmarks and a nearby wild-boar carcass, reflecting concern about the animals’ proximity to people and farms.
Forest Department’s Response
The forest department deployed trackers, installed CCTV cameras, spread awareness about human-animal conflict and monitored the animals’ movements.
- Affected districts
- Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad
- Reported villages
- Arli (T), Gunjala, Bheempur, Tamsi (K), Gollaghat, Vadoor and Agarguda
- Agricultural impact
- Laborers have avoided weeding, fertilizer application and pesticide spraying in cotton fields.
- Safety advice
- Officials advised farmers to visit fields only after 10 a.m. and return by 4 p.m.
- Monitoring measures
- Animal trackers were deployed and CCTV cameras were installed at strategic locations.
- Animals tracked
- Officials confirmed two sets of tiger-related movements; one animal was identified as female, while the other may be a cub or leopard.
- Possible origin
- Officials said the tigers may have crossed the Penganga River from Maharashtra’s Thippeshwar Tiger Reserve.