Kawal Tiger Reserve UPSC

Kawal Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in the the Indian state of Telangana. The reserve is part of the larger Dandakaranya forest.

The main objective of the Kawal Tiger Reserve is the conservation and protection of Bengal tigers and their habitat. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endangered and endemic species.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
River
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptile

UPSC Questions

Kawal Tiger Reserve Location

Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in the Adilabad district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is situated in the northeastern part of Telangana, close to the borders of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

The reserve is approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Mancherial town and about 260 kilometers (162 miles) from the state capital, Hyderabad.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Kawal Tiger Reserve is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana. It is the primary international airport serving the region and is approximately 260 kilometers (162 miles) away from the reserve.

Nearest Railway Station:

As for the nearest railway station, the Mancherial Railway Station serves as the closest railway hub to Kawal Tiger Reserve. It is located in Mancherial town, which is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the reserve.

Kawal Tiger Reserve History

Kawal Tiger Reserve has a rich history associated with its establishment and conservation efforts. Here is an overview of the history of the reserve:

1. Wildlife Sanctuary: Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, as it was initially known, was established in 1965. It was primarily created to protect the habitat and wildlife of the region, including the Bengal tiger.

2. Protected Area (PA): In 1999, Kawal wildlife sanctuary declared as the Protected Area (PA) under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Kawal wildlife sanctuary is one of Telangana’s oldest and largest wildlife sanctuaries.

3. Tiger Reserve Status: In 2012, Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary was officially declared a tiger reserve. This recognition highlighted the significance of the area for tiger conservation and provided additional protection and resources for the reserve.

Kawal Tiger Reserve Area

The Kawal Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 1015 square kilometers. It is spread throughout five forest divisions in Adilabad district: Adilabad, Asifabad, Bellampalli, Jannaram, and Nirmal.

Core Area: The core area of Kawal Tiger Reserve covers approximately 892.23 square kilometers (345 square miles). This is the primary zone dedicated to the conservation and protection of the tiger population and their habitat.

Buffer Area: The buffer area surrounding the core zone of the reserve spans approximately 123.12 square kilometers (47.56 square miles). The buffer zone serves as a transitional area between the core area and the surrounding human-dominated landscapes. It provides additional protection and acts as a buffer to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.

Total Area: The combined area of the core and buffer zones amounts to 1015.35 square kilometers (392.56 square miles). This represents the total area of Kawal Tiger Reserve.

Core: 892.23 sq. km.
Buffer: 123.12 sq. km.
Total Area: 1015.35 sq. kms.

Kawal Tiger Reserve River

The Kadam River flows through Kawal Tiger Reserve. Kadam River is a tributary of Godavari river. The presence of the Kadam River adds to the overall biodiversity and ecological significance of Kawal Tiger Reserve.

Kawal Tiger Reserve Flora

Kawal Tiger Reserve is known for its diverse flora, consisting of various plant species that contribute to the overall biodiversity and ecological significance of the reserve. The reserve is characterized by dry deciduous teak forests, mixed forests, and bamboo thickets.

Here are some of the prominent plant species found in Kawal Tiger Reserve:

Teak (Tectona grandis): Teak is found extensively in the reserve and is a dominant tree species. It is valued for its timber and forms a significant part of the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest ecosystem.

Bamboo: Bamboo species, such as Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos, are present in the reserve. Bamboo thickets provide habitat and food for various wildlife species.

Anogeissus latifolia: Also known as Axlewood, this tree species is found in the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest. It contributes to the diverse flora of the reserve.

Terminalia crenulata and Terminalia arjuna: These Terminalia species are part of the important plant species found in the reserve. They have ecological significance and may have medicinal properties.

Boswellia serrata: This tree species, commonly known as Indian frankincense, is present in the reserve. It is valued for its resin and has traditional medicinal uses.

Sterculia urens: Also known as Indian almond, Sterculia urens is another tree species found in the reserve.

Grass species: Important grass species found in the reserve include Heteropogon contortus, Apluda mutica, Saccharum spontaneum, Oplismenus composites, Dicanthium annulatum, and Themeda species. These grasses contribute to the overall biodiversity and provide forage for herbivores.

It's worth noting that the reserve also faces challenges related to weed growth, including species like Cassia tora, Hytis suovalens, Cleome viscosa, and Lantana camara. Managing invasive species like Lantana camara is crucial to maintaining the ecological balance within the reserve.

With a recorded count of 673 plant species, Kawal Tiger Reserve exhibits a diverse range of flora, which supports the wildlife and contributes to the ecological value of the area.

Kawal Tiger Reserve Fauna (Kawal Tiger Reserve Animals)

Kawal Tiger Reserve is known for its diverse and rich fauna. The reserve provides a habitat for several species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. Here are some of the notable fauna species found in Kawal Tiger Reserve:

Mammals:

Tiger
Leopard
Nilgai
Chousinga
Chinkara
Blackbuck
Sambar
Spotted Deer
Wild Dog
Wolf
Jackal
Fox
Jungle Cat

Birds:

Indian Peafowl
Indian Roller
Greater Coucal
White-bellied Drongo
Painted Stork
Grey Francolin
Indian Pitta
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Black-headed Ibis
Crested Serpent Eagle
Brown Fish Owl
Common Kingfisher

Reptiles:

Indian Rock Python
Indian Cobra
Russell's Viper
Common Monitor Lizard
Indian Chameleon
Fan-throated Lizard