The tigers are roaring in different parts of the state, their numbers being significantly up, according to preliminary reports from the ongoing census of the big cats.

Rajahmundry, Nov. 25: The state government issued an order declaring Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary as a National Park recently. The government issued GO No. 144 declaring the wildlife sanctuary as a national park to be developed in an area covering about 1,012.85 square kilometres.

Hyderabad, Nov. 4: The state government issued orders notifying Papikonda wildlife sanctuary as a national park. This became necessary as works were taken up in the sanctuary area for the Polavaram project. The animals in the national park will be shifted.

Rajahmundry, Oct. 14: The Centre is planning to develop the Papikonda wildlife sanctuary into a national park. The sanctuary is around 591 sq kms area and is spread over in East Godavari, West Godavari and Khammam districts. The forest authorities have recently carried out a survey to identify the thick forest areas adjoining the sanctuary limits and identified nearly 283 sq km.

In an effort to conserve and preserve rare and endangered species of flora and fauna in the Papikondalu wildlife sanctuary, forest authorities will establish a bio-diversity lab and develop the sanctuary at a cost of Rs 36 lakh under a centrally-sponsored scheme in East Godavari shortly.