Amrabad Tiger Reserve UPSC

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Telangana, India. It is India’s second-largest tiger reserve, next only to Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is characterized by hilly terrain, dense forests, and riverine ecosystems. The Krishna River and its tributaries flow through the reserve, providing water sources for the wildlife.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
River
Tribe
Uranium Exploration
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptile

UPSC Questions

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Location

Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts of Telangana State in India. The reserve spans across an area that is shared between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with the majority of it falling within the boundaries of Telangana. Almost 90% of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located within Nagarkurnool district of Telangana State.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve lies in the three forest divisions of Amarabad, Achampet in Nagarkurnool district, and Nagarjunsagar division in Nalgonda district.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is located approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) away from the reserve.

Nearest Railway Station:

As for the nearest railway station, the Mahbubnagar Railway Station is the most convenient option. It is located around 110 kilometers (68 miles) away from the reserve.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve History

Prior to its establishment as a separate tiger reserve, the Amrabad area was a part of the larger Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). The NSTR was notified as a tiger reserve in 1983 and was recognized as one of the largest tiger reserves in the country.

Following the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the northern part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve was transferred to the newly formed state of Telangana. This portion of the reserve was then renamed as the Amrabad Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger initiative, aimed at the conservation of tigers and their habitats.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Area

Amrabad Tiger Reserve has an area of 2611.4 square kilometers. It is the India’s second-largest tiger reserve after Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Hills

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the Nallamala Hills, which is a part of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. The Nallamala Hills stretch across the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in India.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve River

The river Krishna flows through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, forming a natural boundary between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The river serves as an important water source for the wildlife in the reserve, and its presence adds to the overall biodiversity and ecological significance of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Tribe

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is home to several tribal communities that have been residing in the region for generations. The main tribal groups found in and around the reserve include:

(1) Chenchu Tribe:

The Chenchu tribe is one of the predominant indigenous communities residing in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. They have a unique way of life, traditionally relying on hunting, gathering, and fishing for their sustenance. The Chenchus have deep knowledge of the forest and its resources.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve has a large presence of the Chenchu tribe.
The Chenchus are Scheduled Tribe in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha.
Many Chenchus live in the dense Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh.

(2) Lambadas/Banjara:

The Lambada or Banjara community is another tribal group found in the vicinity of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. They have traditionally been nomadic pastoralists, known for their expertise in cattle-rearing and trading.

Uranium Exploration in Amrabad Tiger Reserve

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), had submitted a proposal for surveying and drilling boreholes in four blocks of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve for uranium exploration.

The proposed area for mining fell within the Amrabad and Nudigal Reserved Forests, which are part of the core area of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Flora

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is known for its diverse flora, which includes various types of vegetation adapted to the region's climate and terrain. Here are two prominent types of forests found within the reserve:

(1) Southern Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest:

This type of forest dominates a significant portion of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. It is characterized by a mix of deciduous tree species that shed their leaves during the dry season. The forest consists of trees such as teak (Tectona grandis), Terminalia species, Pterocarpus species, Lagerstroemia species, and many others. This forest type also includes shrubs, grasses, and climbers that contribute to the overall biodiversity of the area.

(2) Deccan Thorn Scrub Forests:

Another significant vegetation type found in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is the Deccan Thorn Scrub Forests. These forests are characterized by thorny shrubs and small trees, which are well-adapted to dry and arid conditions. Common plant species in this forest type include Acacia species, Ziziphus species, Prosopis species, and various cacti. The thorny nature of the vegetation provides protection against grazing animals and conserves moisture within the plants.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Fauna (Amrabad Tiger Reserve Animals)

What animals are found in Amrabad Tiger Reserve?

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is renowned for its rich and diverse wildlife. It provides a habitat for a wide range of animal species, including both predators and herbivores. Here are some of the notable fauna found in the reserve:

Mammals:

Tiger
Indian Leopard
Sloth Bear
Spotted Deer
Sambar
Nilgai
Wild Pigs
Four-horned Antelope
Chinkara
Sambar
Indian Pangolin
Common Langur

Birds:

Indian Peafowl
Painted Stork
Indian Roller
Oriental White-backed Vulture
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Indian Pitta
Painted Sandgrouse
Crested Serpent Eagle
Indian Scops Owl
Indian Grey Hornbill

Reptiles:

Indian Rock Python
Indian Cobra
Mugger Crocodile
Indian Monitor Lizard
Russell's Viper
Indian Chameleon
Indian Garden Lizard
Common Indian Krait
Indian Sand Boa