RAJAHMUNDRY: The dense forests, which have been the shelter zones of the wild animals for ages, are becoming unsafe to the predators in recent times thanks to rampant poaching, increasing habitations abutting the forests, quarrying, construction of irrigation projects and development of tourists spots.

With such activities being taken up to destroy the habitations of wildlife, the animals are feeling insecure and are starying into the nearby villages and towns.

Ironically, the State Government, which is the implementing authority of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, is turning a blind eye about the surival and safety of wild animals before taking up ‘developmental activities’ in the forest areas.

The State Government is constructing as many as five irrigation projects in the agency areas of the district. Besides, the quarrying activities, mostly unauthorised, is posing another problem to the wild animals in the forests.

Officials of the Mines & Geology and the Forest departments are not taking action on the unauthorised quarrying in the forests.

Instances of users of ghat roads in the agency areas found wild animals including tigers, leopards, black bucks and others coming on to the roads.

A panther, which strayed into a house in Lalitha Nagar this morning, is a glaring example of the man-animal conflict. Two months ago, a feline was spotted in Pithapuram in the district.

The forest area in the district is 3,300 sq km and the forest officials said that there are about 60 leopards and eight tigers as per the census conducted during 2004. The wild animals can be spotted in the forest area of Maredumilli, Devipatnam and Y Ramavaram.

The wildlife wing of the Forest Department is taking steps to protect the wild animals and also creating awareness among the tribals and non-tribals near the forests about them and their importance.

Because of these small gestures, the local villagers have been helping the forest officials in protecting the flora and fauna and anyone trying to hunt the animals are being chased away.