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.
• This is the largest tiger reserve in the country, spreading over an area of 5937 sq. km.
• It hosts the largest tiger population in the Eastern Ghat
• It is named after two major damsin the area, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam.
• Two wildlife sanctuaries, namely Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuaryand Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM), constitute the NSTR.
• The river Krishna traverses through this reserve for a linear distance of around 270 kilometers.  
• Topography: It consists of plateau, ridges, gorges, and deep valleys.
• Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forestshave 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 Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Wild Dog and Jackal.
  • The prey species are represented by Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, and Porcupine.
  • The river Krishna has Muggers, Otters and Turtles.