Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)
LOCATION : Nallamala hills (a section of the Eastern Ghats which forms the eastern boundary of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh and Nagarkurnool district of Telangana)
It is the largest tiger reserve of India, spreading over 5 districts Nandyal District, Prakasam District, Palnadu District, Nalgonda District and Mahabub Nagar district, covering an area of 3728 km2.
Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam multipurpose reservoirs and the temples of Srisailam are major attraction for many tourists and pilgrims.
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve was established under Project Tiger in 1983.
- It has been named after two major dams in the area, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam.
- Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary, constitute the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
- Krishna River traverses through it for a linear distance of around 270 km.
- Topography: It consists of plateau, ridges, gorges and deep valleys.
- Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forests having an undergrowth of bamboo and grass.
KEY BIODIVERSITY
FLORA: The habitat has several endemic species like Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis Var, Dicliptera beddomei and Premna hamiltonii.
FAUNA: Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is home to a vast variety of wild animals and birds.
In addition to the Bengal Tiger, which is the apex predator, many other predator species like Leopard, Wolf, Asiatic Wild Dog, Golden Jackal, Rusty-spotted Cat, Indian Pangolin, Mugger Crocodile, Indian Rock Python are found in NTSR.
The prey species include Sambar deer, Chital (spotted deer), Chowsingha (four-horned antelope), Chinkara (Indian gazelle), Mouse Deer, Wild boar and Porcupine.
Blackbuck is present outside the Reserve in open areas.
Krishna River abounds in Muggers, Otters and Turtles.
AVIFAUNA : several important bird species such as the globally threatened Yellow-throated Bulbul and the Greater Spotted Eagle considered Vulnerable by BirdLife International, the Spot Bellied Eagle Owl are found here.
A rare bird called Scarlet minivet has been spotted for the first time in NSTR.