A Forest Section Officer working in the Khanapur Forest Range of Nirmal district was caught red-handed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe of ₹12,000 on Thursday (October 8).

The officer, Aindla Ravinder, was caught by ACB officials from the Adilabad Range after he demanded and accepted the money from a complainant in exchange for an official favour related to the renewal of a timber depot licence.

According to the ACB, Ravinder demanded the bribe to visit the complainant’s timber depot, conduct an inspection and forward the inspection report to higher authorities for renewal of the licence.

Acting on the complaint, ACB officials laid a trap and caught the officer while he was accepting the money. The bribe amount of ₹12,000 was recovered from his possession. The accused is being arrested and produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Karimnagar. Further investigation is underway.

The ACB urged the public to report demands for bribes by government officials through its toll-free helpline, 1064, assuring that the identities of complainants would be kept confidential.

Following the sighting of tigers at Berijam lake, near Kodaikanal, in Dindigul district, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has imposed restrictions on the entry of tourists in the area.

The lake is one of the main tourist attractions in Kodaikanal. It attracts tourists from across neighbouring districts and even other States. Tourists are required to get permission from the Forest Department to visit the lake area. Recently, a video shot by tourists surfaced wherein three tigers were seen wandering the forest area.

Following the sighting and reports of tiger movement in the area, the Forest Department has imposed temporary restrictions on the entry of tourists in the area as a precautionary measure.

The officials said the restrictions had been imposed to ensure safety and would remain in effect till further notice. The officials said the department’s staff were actively monitoring the area.

With summer vacation in full swing, hundreds of tourists who visited to the area were disappointed after they were prohibited from entering Berijam lake.

Tourist cab operators too felt that the Forest Department can explore alternative arrangements instead of imposing curbs, so visitors have an opportunity to experience the spot.