Kawal Tiger Reserve (UPSC)

About Kawal Tiger Reserve:

 

• Location:
  • It is located in North Eastern part of Telangana (Old Adilabad district), with the Godavari River on one side and the Maharashtra border on the other.
  • It forms part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
• Rivers: The reserve is the catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
• Corridor: It has connectivity to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra in the North and to the Indravati tiger reserve of Chhattisgarh towards its North-Eastern side.
• Habitat: It has diverse habitats comprising of dense forests, grasslands, open areas, rivers, streams and water bodies.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
• Flora:
  • Teak is found extensively along with Bamboo.
  • As many as 673 plant species have been recorded, and the important ones are Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata etc.
• Fauna:
  • It has a faunal diversity which is typical of the Deccan Plateau.
  • The major wild animals include: nilgai, chousinga, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer, wild dog, wolf, jackal, fox, tiger, leopard, and the jungle cat.

 

Key Facts about Amrabad Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts in the southern part of Telangana.
• It was notified as a sanctuary in 1983, and after the State bifurcation, it was declared as Amarabad Tiger Reserve in 2015.
• ATR covers a part of the Nallamala Forest and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
• The hilly terrain of this Tiger Reserve, with deep valleys and gorges, forms the catchment of the Krishna River.
• 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.

 

---

Q1) What is the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for the conservation and management of tigers in the country. It was established in 2005 following the amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The primary objective of the NTCA is to ensure the conservation of tigers, their habitats, and biodiversity in the tiger reserves across India.

Source: Habitat key, all not lost in Kawal: NTCA