Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India encompassing an area of in five districts: Nandyal, Prakasam, Palnadu, Nalgonda and Mahabub Nagar districts of Andhra Pradesh. Its core area is.
Geography
The hill ranges contain a number of plateaus including Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, and Nekkanti. Nagarjunasagar receives rains from the southwest monsoon, which is active from the second half of June to the end of September. The Krishna River cuts its basin almost deep over a distance of through the reserve. There are several waterfalls in the reserve such as the Ethipothala Falls, Pedda Dukudu, Gundam and Chaleswaram.
This reserve is located between longitude: 78°30' to 79°28' east and latitude: 15°53' to 16°43' north. Elevation varies from.
Average annual rainfall is.
History
This area contains several rock shelters and cave temples including: Akka Mahadevi Bhilam, Dattatreya Bhilam, Umaa Maheswaram, Kadalivanam, and Palankasari.
Flora
The main types of forest biomes in the reserve are: southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest, Hardwickia forest and Deccan thorn scrub forests with much Euphorbia scrub. Important plant species here are: Anogeissus latifolia, Cleisthanthus collinus, Terminalia spp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, Tectona grandis, Mundulea sericea and Albizia spp..
Fauna
The main mammals in the reserve are: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole, Indian pangolin, chital, sambar deer, chevrotain, blackbuck, chinkara and chowsingha. Lesser fauna include mugger crocodile, Indian python, Indian cobra, rat snake, Bengal monitor, Indian star tortoise and Indian peafowl.
In a study that ascertained the economic value of the ecosystem services provided free of cost by the 'Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve', it was found that the economic value of 'Regulating Services' amounted to Rs 16,041.15 crore per year. 'Provisioning Services' amounted to Rs 766.99 million per year, while 'Cultural Services' and 'Supporting Services' amounted to Rs 17.40 million per year and Rs 818.11 million per year respectively.