Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary - Andhra Pradesh - नगर्जुनासागर - श्रीसैलम अभयारण्य

The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary ( 3568 Sq. km); lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The terrain is rugged and winding gorges slice through the Mallamalai hills. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna. The dry deciduous forests with scrub and bamboo thickets provide shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food chain, to deer, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and pangolin. In this unspoilt jungle, the tiger is truly nocturnal and is rarely seen.

About Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Evolved out of different needs, the town of Srisailam 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 site 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.

Places Nearby Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Mannanur is a pre-existing tribal hamlet with a comfortably furnished camp bungalow. Next to the bungalow are a crocodile pond and an environment education center. From Mannanur, one can explore the western corner of the tiger reserve. The forest area here is thickly set with miscellaneous timber species with local names like Nallamadi (Terminalia tomentosa), Chirumanu (Anogeissus latifolia), etc., as well as stretches of teak forest. One can also spot spotted deers, sambars, and nilgais here.

Nagarjunasagar is the place where excavations have unearthed many historical monuments belonging to 1st and 2nd century AD. The place is also home to a large dam built on the river Krishna.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 316 km away from Srisailam. Hyderabad is connected to many important cities in India including Delhi and Mumbai, the major international gateways.

By Rail

Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 km away) on the South Central Railway.

By Road

Srisailam is 190 km from Kurnool, 220 km from Guntur, 470 km from Chennai, and 85 km from Mannanur.

Accommodation

Three guesthouses/temple cottages with 248 beds are available at present in the forest area. Therefore, the available accommodation at these places can be depended upon while visiting the reserve.

Links to Outside World

STD/ISD facilities are available at Srisailam and some other places nearby. Postal and telegraph facilities are available at Srisailam.

General Information

Nearest town : Macherla (29 km)
Best time to visit : October - June
Accommodation : Guest Houses and Cottages near temples within the sanctuary.
How to get there : Rail-Hyderabad (150 km) Air-Hyderabad (150 km)

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