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 landscape.
• It is named aftertwo 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 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 forests having 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.

Q1: What is a deciduous forest?

A deciduous forest is a type of biome characterized by the prevalence of deciduous trees, which are trees that shed their leaves seasonally. These forests can be found in temperate regions around the world, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia

Source: Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve tops in increase of leopard population