Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR)

About Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR):

• Location: It is located in the Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts in the southern part of Telangana.
• ATR covers a part of the Nallamala Forest, which is part of the Eastern Ghats chain.
• Spread over 2611.4 square kilometers, it is one of the largest tiger reserves in India.
• It is the second-largest Tiger Reserve in terms of core area.
• Earlier, it was part of 'Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, but post-state bifurcation, the northern part of the reserve was vested with Telangana state and renamed 'Amrabad Tiger Reserve'.
  • The southern portion continues to be 'NSTR' with Andhra Pradesh. 
• Major reservoirs like the Srisailam Dam and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam are fed by the river Krishna and its several perennial streams that originate in the ATR.
• The Chenchu tribeis one of the major tribal communities that live in the ATR.
• Flora:
  • Dense grass occurs in 30% of the area and is scattered in an additional 20%.
  • Dominant tree species include Terminalia tomentosa, Hardwickia binata, Madhuca latifolia. Diospyros melanoxylon, Gardenia latifolia, etc.
• Fauna:
  • Major wild animals found are Tiger, Leopard, Wild dog, Indian Wolf, Indian fox, Rusty-spotted cat, Small Indian civet, Sloth bear, Honeybadger, Wild boar, etc.
  • Over 303 bird species have been identified in this region. Some important groups include Eagles, Pigeons, Doves, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Drongos, etc.