Forest officials launch drive to protect wildlife in Chittoor

Forest officials have launched a special drive to make the Forest Road and city park litter-free, aiming to make the area safer for wildlife. The initiative gained significance following the recent death of a mother deer and its fawn in an attack by stray dogs.Speaking to The Hindu here on Saturday, District Forest Officer (DFO) G. Subburaj said awareness camps would be conducted for roadside eatery operators and walkers’ associations as part of efforts to prevent stray dogs from moving freely along the Forest Road and inside the park.“It has come to our notice that the dumping of leftovers by roadside eateries is luring stray dogs along the Forest Road. With greenery improving in the surrounding hillocks, the deer population has increased remarkably, and this is a welcome sign to further boost recreational activities in the park,” the DFO said.Mr. Subburaj said a special team was also working on measures to address the stray dog menace in areas close to the forest.The officials said that keeping the Forest Road and city park free of food waste would help check the movement of stray dogs and protect wildlife.Walkers said the forest area was home to small wildlife, including hares, lizards, and several bird species, and welcomed the drive to keep the area clean and wildlife-friendly.EOM Published - September 12, 2026 07:52 pm IST