Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)

About Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):

• Location: It is located in the Nallamala hill ranges(an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats) of Andhra Pradesh and spreads across the undivided districts of Guntur, Prakasam, and Kurnool.
• It attained the status of a Tiger Reserve in 1983. 
• This is the largest tiger reserve in the country, spreading over an area of 5937 Sq. Km.
• It is named after two major dams in the area, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam.
• Two wildlife Sanctuaries, namely Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM), constitute the Tiger Reserve.
• The river Krishna traverses through this Reserve for a linear distance of around 270 kilometres.
• Topography: It consists of plateaus, ridges, gorges, and deep valleys.
• Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forests with an undergrowth of bamboo and grass.
• Flora: The habitat has several endemics like Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis Var, Dicliptera beddomei, and Premna hamiltonii.
• Fauna:
  • Top faunal species include tigers, leopards, wolves, Wild dogs, and jackals.
  • The prey species are represented by Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, and Porcupine.
  • The river Krishna has Muggers, otters, and Turtles.