Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Wildlife sanctuary
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is located in India
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Location in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, India
Coordinates: 16°18′N 78°59′E / 16.300°N 78.983°E / 16.300; 78.983
Country India
StateAndhra Pradesh
Telangana
DistrictNandyal, Palnadu, Prakasam, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda
Established1983
Area
 • Total
3,728 km2 (1,439 sq mi)
Elevation
917 m (3,009 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest cityNalgonda, Srisailam, Kurnool, Hyderabad, Amaravati (316 km (196 mi))
IUCN categoryIV
Visitationrestricted tourism
Governing bodyGovernment of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Project Tiger
Precipitation1,000 millimetres (39 in)
Avg. summer temperature43 °C (109 °F)
Avg. winter temperature16 °C (61 °F)
Websiteprojecttiger.nic.in/nagarjunasagar.htm

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India. The reserve spreads over five districts, Nandyal District, Prakasam District, Palnadu District, Nalgonda District and Mahabub Nagar district. The total area of the tiger reserve is 3,728 km2 (1,439 sq mi).[1] The core area of this reserve is 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi). The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are major attraction for many tourists and pilgrims.[2] It is the largest tiger reserve forest in India and is located inside Nallamala forest area.

Geography

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Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

This reserve is located between longitude: 78°30' to 79°28' east and latitude: 15°53' to 16°43' north. Elevation varies from 100 m (330 ft) to 917 m (3,009 ft) above mean sea level.

Average annual rainfall is 1,000 mm (39 in).

The hill ranges contain a number of plateaus, of which, Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, and Nekkanti are noteworthy. 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 200 m (660 ft) deep over a distance of 130 km (81 mi) through the reserve. There are several waterfalls in the reserve such as the Ethipothala Falls, Pedda Dukudu, Gundam and Chaleswaram.[2]

Ancient history

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The ancient temples at Srisailam of Lord Mallikarjuna and his consort goddess Bhramaramba, an incarnation of Parvathi as the fair-complexioned boon from Brahma, contain one of the twelve sacred Shaiva Jyotirlingas and one of the eighteen Maha Shakthi peethas in India.

This area contains ruins of Nagarjuna Viswa Vidyalayam. The site was once the location of many Buddhist universities and monasteries.

The ruins of a fort of the 3rd century BCE Indian ruler, Ikshwaku Chandragupta overlook the Nirjivapuram (Lifeless city) valley. The ancient fort of king Pratap Rudra of the Kakatiya dynasty and several other forts are visible on the banks of the Krishna River. An ancient 105 mi (169 km) wall constructed there by the Kakateeyas is an impressive historic feature.

This area contains several rock shelters and cave temples including: Akka Mahadevi Bhilam, Dattatreya Bhilam, Umaa Maheswaram, Kadalivanam, and Palankasari.[2][3][4]

Flora

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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 (axlewood), Cleisthanthus collinus (odcha), Terminalia spp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata (anjan tree), Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense or salai), Tectona grandis (teak), Mundulea sericea and Albizia spp. (silkplants).[2]

Fauna

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The main mammals in the reserve are: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Ussuri 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.[2] Endemic reptiles like the skinks Ashwamedh writhing skink, Sharma's mabuya lizards and the Nagarjun Sagar racer snake, Wildboar, Mongoose, Porcupine are particular highlights of this region.

Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services

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In a study (conducted during 2016-2019) 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' (such as carbon sequestration, water provisioning and purification, soil conservation, nutrient retention, pollination, climate regulation, gene pool protection, waste assimilation, etc.) 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.[5]

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
  1. ^ "Facts & Figures of NagarjunaSagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve Atmakur Andhra Pradesh". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e National Tiger Conservation Authority. "Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve". Reserve Guide – Project Tiger Reserves in India. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Mahboob Ali Khan's palace in Srisailam Tigers' Reserves neglected". Siasat Daily. 30 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  4. ^ National Tiger Conservation Authority (1993). "Nagarjunasagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve". PT status '93. Bikaner House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  5. ^ https://ntca.gov.in/assets/uploads/Reports/EconEval/Economic_evaluation_phaseII.pdf [bare URL PDF]
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