Amaravati: Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of three devotees in a stampede caused by elephants near Gundalakona Shiva Temple in Annamayya district. He directed officials to take immediate preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
During a review meeting at his camp office, Pawan Kalyan discussed the issue with top forest officials, Annamayya district collector, and SP. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the Police, Endowments, and Revenue Departments to ensure devotee safety, especially during Maha Shivratri and other festivals.
Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, he urged authorities to implement AI-based tracking systems, similar to those used in Karnataka, to monitor elephant movement. He recommended barricading sensitive areas, installing radio collars, and using advanced early warning systems to protect both pilgrims and wildlife.
Pawan Kalyan stressed the importance of awareness programs for local residents and devotees visiting temples in forest regions. He called for a long-term strategy to balance human safety with wildlife conservation, ensuring such tragedies do not recur.
