Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve | Ias Banenge

Context:

Recently, several restrictions have been imposed on visitors to the Ahobilam Temple Complex, which is located within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

READ MORE- About The Invasive Alien Species 

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key points
2. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Key points:

Heatwave Restrictions at Cheethal Base Camp

• A ban on plastic items
• No overnight stays due to potential human-animal conflicts
• Prohibition on animal sacrifices at the shrine

Wildlife in Nallamala Forest Area

• Home to red sanders, leopards, and deer
• Tigers also inhabit the region

Ahobilam National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

• Constituted under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972
• Oversees rare flora and fauna specific to the region

Ahobilam Temple Complex

• Consists of 9 shrines to Lord Narisimha in Nallamala forest
• Additional temple for Prahaladavarada Varadhan in the mountain foothills

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Location:

• Located in the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats.
• Spans across five districts of Andhra Pradesh: Prakasam, Kurnool, Guntur, and Mahbubnagar.
• Covers an area of approximately 3,568 square kilometers.

Geographical Aspects:

• Diverse terrain with rugged hills, deep valleys, and dense forests.
• Part of the Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar-Kurnool forest belt.
• The Krishna River flows through the reserve, creating a unique ecosystem.

Flora:

• Tropical and dry deciduous forests.
• Dominated by teak, terminalia, bamboo, and other native species.
• Rich in medicinal plants and herbs.

Fauna:

• Home to a significant population of Bengal tigers.
• Other mammals include:
  • Indian leopard
  • Sloth bear
  • Dhole (Indian wild dog)
  • Indian pangolin
  • Chital (spotted deer)
  • Sambar deer
  • Nilgai (blue bull)
  • Four-horned antelope
  • Indian giant squirrel

Birds:

• Over 350 species of birds have been recorded.
• Includes the grey junglefowl, painted spurfowl, and the critically endangered white-rumped vulture.

Reptiles:

• Indian python
• Mugger crocodile
• Bengal monitor
• Star tortoise

Conservation:

• Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger.
• Part of the Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar-Kurnool Biosphere Reserve.
• Efforts are ongoing to conserve and protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat.

-Source: The Hindu

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