Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve

• There is strong criticism going around because National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) granted permission to the widening of a road that falls in the buffer zone of the Nagarjuna Sagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve and also the Ecologically Sensitive Zone of the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The NBWL gave permission for widening of the Nandyala-Atmakur road in Kurnool district from the single lane to double lane at its most recent meeting held in New Delhi.

About Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve:

• The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, which is spread over Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar is the largest Tiger reserve in the country.
• This Tiger Reserve covers a total area of about 3,568 square kms.
• Srisailam’s temples and reservoirs are the major attraction for thousands of tourists and pilgrims visiting the holy town.
• The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Sanctuary was declared officially in the year 1978 and has been recognized by the Project Tiger in the year 1983.
• This Reserve has been renamed as the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1992. The reserve is known for its breath taking scenic beauty.
• Situated in the deciduous Nallamala forests, the mystifying landscape of the lofty hills and echoing valleys, exciting winding roads, perennial rivers, is this most charismatic world of the wild cats. It is a true wild paradise.
• The mighty River Krishna which rising in Sahyadri Hills and makes its way through Maharashtra and Karnataka flows across Nallamala tiger reserve.
• The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, are located in the reserve. The area consists mostly of the Nallamala Hills.
• The hill ranges contain number of plateau of which Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, Nekkanti are noteworthy.
• The Krishna river cuts its basin almost 200 m (660 ft) deep over a distance of 130 km (81 mi) through the reserve.
• It is home to a dazzling array of wild animals. In addition to the Bengal Tiger, which is the apex predator, many other species like leopard, rusty-spotted cat, sloth bear, wild dog, pangolin, mouse deer, Chausingha, Mugger Crocodiles, Indian Rock Python, and innumerable varieties of birds are found here.

By: Vishal