Wild animals entering villages in Karimnagar

As the heat has become unbearable, wild animals are frequenting villages in the district.

Forest officials see this as a “tit for tat”. As humans invade the forests in their quest for minerals and wood, depleting the forest cover and water resources, the animals step out of their natural habitations in search of food and water.

In recent weeks, panic-stricken wild bears attacked people in the villages. Some bears were killed after falling into open wells.

Forest officials say the district once had more than 3,000 bears, the highest number in the State. However, with increased mining and quarry operations reducing the forest cover, fewer than 2,000 animals are left. They have been forced to intrude into human habitations.