Srisailam Tiger Reserve is spread within an area of 356,000 hectares and sprawls over five districts of central Andhra Pradesh. It is the largest tiger reserve in the country. It has also been one of the largest wildlife habitations in the country.
The sanctuary lies in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in the catchment area of the Krishna River. The region comprises five districts of the state namely Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar. It is surrounded by the Nallamalai Hills on the southern and eastern side while the Krishna River forms the boundary on the other side. The sanctuary is 13 km from Macherial.
While on tour to the Srisailam Tiger Reserve you can see the forest track, the lush green vegetation on either side.
The Srisailam region is divided into three zones. Srisailam or the original pilgrim town centers round the age-old temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, incarnations of Shiva and Parvati. A fairly stocked marketplace and several lodges for pilgrims lie alongside the temple quadrangle. About eight kilometers from the temple town is Sunnipenta, another ridge top where most offices and a few eating houses are located. Also located here is the office of the Project Tiger and the Field Director. The dam sites on the river Krishna-the Srisailam Hydel Projects-makes up the third zone.
Nestling in the Nallamalai Hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus, endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, the NSTR protects a large portion of the once flourishing ecological system that existed here. Without having the benefit of being an erstwhile royal game preserve, the forest in this area was always open to human visitation. Pilgrims from all over southern India carved out routes through the forest to reach Srisailam. It was in 1973 that the area was declared a sanctuary and incorporated under Project Tiger a decade later.
A little over 6 sq km in area, the Rollapadu grasslands near Srisailam are dotted with dry, thorny bushes and is home of about a hundred blackbucks. From a distance, one can observe families of blackbucks out on their breakfast trail, a couple of bustards gazing at the horizon while taking a tentive foot forward. At present, day visits to Rollapadu Sanctuary is permitted.
You have to be very, very patient if you want to see a tiger at the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Mr.T.Ramkrishna, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, wildlife Division Andhra Pradesh, had emphasized when we had called upon him at Hyderabad prior to our departure. Because with an area of 3,568 square kilometers and sprawling over five districts of central Andhra, the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is the largest tiger reserve in the country. Endowed with its own characteristics, the reserve is no less grand than other popular tiger reserves in the country.
Even though the reserve can be accessed from various corners, we found it convenient to start from Hyderabad. One morning, later on. Our first stop was at Mannanur, about three hours journey by road from Hyderabad via Amangala.
An extension of a pre-existing tribal hamlet, Mannanur's existence seemed to revolve round the forest range office, a tribal welfare office and two large residential schools for boys and girls respectively. Nearby were scattered hutments of cattle herders who frequent this area in periods of drought. We put up at the simple but comfortably furnished camp bungalow. Next to the bungalow were a crocodile pond and an environment education center.
From Mannanur, we explored the western corner of the tiger reserve. The forest area was thickly set with miscellaneous timber species with local names like Nallamadi (Terminalia tomentosa), Chirumanu (Anogeissus latifolia) etc. as well as stretches of teak forest. At places, there was thick undergrowth making the area impenetrable while sometimes the forest gave way to patches of grassland.
On the way to Neelagiri View Point at Farahabad, you can see groups of spotted deer scampering within the depths of the forest. Unused to the sights of vehicles, the browsing pairs of sambars and nilgais bolted at the slightest noise.
Located on a tabletop land, the watchtower at View Point offered a sweeping view of the green-draped valleys and plains lying below. The watery expanse of the Rasoolcheru Tank sparkled like a silverine sheet. Hopefully, with the promotion of tourism in the area-a prospect that was being promisingly explored during our time of visit-more people will be able to venture this way, a few kilometers away from the main road connecting Hyderabad and Srisailam.
The blacktopped road continued on its journey southwards. Cutting through the forest till it crests a hilltop and past one huge curve, it touches base at the periphery of the town of Srisailam.
Perched atop a windy ledge, the Vanmayuri Forest Bungalow offers a scenic view of the river Krishna snaking below and the temple town in the distance. Although perfectly poised for a quiet weekend, the bungalow is far from amenities like shops and eating-places. Evolved out of different needs, the town is divided into three zones. Srisailam or the original pilgrim town centers round the age-old temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjun and Goddess Bhramaramba, incarnations of Shiva and Parvati. A fairly stocked market place and several lodges for pilgrims lie alongside the temple quadrangle.
About eight kilometers from the temple town in Sunnipenta, another ridge top where most offices and a few eating houses are located. Also located here is the office of the Project Tiger and the Field Director.
The dam site on the river Krishan-the Srisailam Hydel Projects-makes up the third zone.
Nestling in the Nallamalai hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus, endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, the NSTR protects a large portion of the once flourishing ecological system that existed here. Without having the benefit of being an erstwhile royal game preserve, the forest in this area was always open to human visitation. Pilgrims from all over southern India carved out routes through the forest to reach Srisailam. Lying in the rain shadow of the southwest monsoon, the evergreen pastures attracted cattle-herders. And with the construction of the two dams at Srisailam and Nagarjunsagar, the area was left open to be rifled of its wealth. It was only in 1973 that the area was declared a Sanctuary and incorporated under Project Tiger a decade later.
The subsequent declarations as a sanctuary and a tiger reserve gave teeth to the forest department who have now started an intensive programme of consolidating the habitat through direct protection and people's participation through eco-development projects.
The river Krishan cuts through the Nallamalai range taking a northward curve at the foot of Srisailam town. Within the forest it divides the area into the left and right bank. The river cut through deep gorges and the valleys broader. A short trek along the Bhimuni Kolamu trial (taking off from the popular Paldhara-Panchadhara religious spot) gave a closer look into the scenic countryside.
Travel along the Pecheruvu route, where the dense vegetation reflects various shades of green in the play of light shade as the sunlight filters through canopies of abundant foliage. You can see Grey hornbills, parties of parakeets, doves, a green pigeon or two, a family of red jungle fowl scurried about.
As you move to the southwest you reach the forest bungalow at Atmakur, a commercial township, just 60 km ahead of Kurnool, to reach Rollapadu, about 40 km from Atmakur. The forest bungalow is the best place to stay here, although there were a few budget hotels in the marketplace at Atmakur.
At the grasslands of Rollapadu you can search for blackbucks and the Great Indian Bustard. A little over six square kilometers in area, the grasslands are dotted with dry, throny bushes and is home of about a hundreds of blackbucks. From a distance one can observe families of blackbucks out on their breakfast trail, a couple of bustards gazing at the horizon while taking a tentive foot forward.
According to the reports of the forest department, the number of tigers in the reserve has increased from 12 in 1972 to 97 in 1991. Although latest reports are that the number of tigers have decreased considerably.
A trip to the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve would take you on a journey to the Nagarjunsagar dam-site that lies on the extreme northern corner of the reserve.
General Information:
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest reserve in the country and spreads over five districts, viz Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda and Mehboobnagar.
The tourist attractions of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar lie within the tiger reserve. The place provides some of the best accommodation options to make your stay comfortable.
Since regular tourism within the reserve, the roads inside the forest can only be tackled with vehicles fitted with four-wheel drives. At present, the forest department has no vehicle to lend out or for hire, for tourists.
Fact File:
The best time to visit is between November and March. The elevation is around 500 mts above sea level. But November-December can be cold.
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 316 km away from Srisailam. By road, Srisailamis 190 km from Kurnool, 220 km from Guntur, 470 km from Madras and 85 km Mannanur. By rail, Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 km away) and Macherla (160 km away) on the SC railway.
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