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Amrabad Tiger Reserve
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Telangana, India, and covers an area of 2,760 square kilometres. It is situated in the Nallamala Hills, which is a part of the Eastern Ghats. The reserve was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 2014 and has a significant population of tigers, with recent estimates suggesting around 26 tigers.
The history of Amrabad Tiger Reserve dates back to the 1980s when the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary. In 1993, it was included in the Project Tiger initiative to protect the Bengal tiger population in the area. The reserve is also home to several other threatened species, including the Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole, Indian pangolin, and mugger crocodile.
One interesting fact about Amrabad Tiger Reserve is that it is the largest tiger reserve in the country and is also one of the largest contiguous stretches of forest in South India. The reserve is also home to several communities of indigenous people, including Chenchus and Lambadas, who have been living in the area for generations and have a deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna.
Read about: Tiger Reserves in India
Amrabad Tiger Reserve Landscape
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the Nallamala Hills in the southern part of India. The terrain of the reserve is hilly, with elevations ranging from 150 to 1,000 meters above sea level. The major mountain ranges in the reserve are the Srisailam, Lankamalai, and Amrabad hills.
The Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts surround the reserve, and it is bordered by the River Krishna to the south and the River Tungabhadra to the north. The Ettipothala Waterfalls, which are situated in the reserve, is a significant tourist attraction. The reserve’s unique feature is the presence of diverse and rich flora and fauna species due to its varied topography.
Read about: Panna Tiger Reserve
Amrabad Tiger Reserve Map
Here is a map of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve given below for a better understanding:
Amrabad Tiger Reserve Fauna
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of fauna. These species play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem of the reserve and are a major attraction for tourists visiting the area. Some of the top faunal species include:
Faunal Specie | Scientific Name | Importance |
Bengal Tiger | Panthera tigris tigris | The apex predator and major attraction of the reserve. |
Indian Leopard | Panthera pardus fusca | Another big cat species are found in the reserve. |
Sloth Bear | Melursus ursinus | Endemic bear species found in the reserve. |
Indian Pangolin | Manis crassicaudata | Endangered species with unique armour-like scales |
Indian Giant Squirrel | Ratufa indica | Large squirrel species are found in the reserve. |
Mugger Crocodile | Crocodylus palustris | Freshwater crocodile species are found in the reserve. |
Indian Cobra | Naja naja | Venomous snake species are found in the reserve. |
Python | Python molurus | Large non-venomous snake species are found in the reserve. |
Indian Peafowl | Pavo cristatus | Beautiful bird species are found in the reserve. |
Grey Junglefowl | Gallus sonneratii | Wild bird species are found in the reserve. |
Read about: Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Amrabad Tiger Reserve Flora
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of flora, which makes it an important biodiversity zone. The vegetation here is characterized by dry deciduous forests, mixed deciduous forests, and grasslands. Some of the important floral categories found here include teak, rosewood, bamboo, Indian gooseberry, and Indian kino tree. These forests provide a natural habitat for a wide range of fauna.
Here is a tabulated form of the top floral species found in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve:
Floral Specie | Scientific Name | Importance |
Bamboo | Bambusoideae family | Provides food, shelter and nesting for wildlife |
Teak | Tectona grandis | Important timber species also provide food |
Indian gooseberry | Phyllanthus emblica | Medicinal properties and source of Vitamin-C |
Sandalwood | Santalum album | Valuable timber species and used in perfumes |
Terminalia | Terminalia spp. | Important timber and medicinal species |
Cassia | Cassia spp. | Used for medicinal purposes and the tanning industry |
Acacia | Acacia spp. | An important source of fuelwood and fodder |
Flame of the Forest | Butea monosperma | Ornamental value and traditional medicine |
Embelia | Embelia ribes | Medicinal properties used in Ayurveda |
Banyan | Ficus benghalensis | Provides food and habitat for wildlife |
Tamarind | Tamarindus indica | Edible fruit and medicinal properties |
Read about: Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Amrabad Tiger Reserve Tourism
Amrabad Tiger Reserve, located in Telangana, offers a unique and unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Tourists can go on jungle safaris to spot tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, and a variety of other wildlife species. Birdwatching, trekking, and camping are some other popular activities in the reserve. Tourists can also interact with the local tribes to learn about their culture and lifestyle.
The best time to visit Amrabad Tiger Reserve is from October to May when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are frequent. The monsoon season (June-September) should be avoided as the reserve remains closed during this time.
Tourists can also visit the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, located nearby, which is home to a variety of wildlife species, including tigers, leopards, and deer. The Srisailam Dam, a popular tourist spot, is also located nearby. The Mahbubnagar Fort and the Alampur Jogulamba temple are other popular tourist attractions in the region.
Read about: Nagarhole Tiger Reserve
Amrabad Tiger Reserve UPSC
Amrabad Tiger Reserve is an important topic for the UPSC Syllabus, particularly in the environment and ecology-related sections. Aspirants are expected to have a good understanding of the location, topography, flora and fauna of the reserve, as well as the conservation efforts being carried out there. They should also be aware of the challenges faced in managing the reserve and the various tourism activities available. Aspirants can prepare for the exam by referring to UPSC study materials at StudyIQ UPSC and taking UPSC Mock Test to evaluate their level of preparation.
Read about: Pench Tiger Reserve