Srisailam Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh - श्रीसैलम अभयारण्य
Nagarjuna Sagar - Srisailam Sanctuary is one of the biggest success stories of Project Tiger in India. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna.
The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary ( 3568 Sq. km.); spreads over five districts - Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary was notified in 1978 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The Reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. The river Krishna flows through the sanctuary over a distance of 130 km. The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are important sources of irrigation and power in the state are located in the sanctuary. The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are a major tourist and pilgrim attraction for people from all over the country and abroad.
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.
Best time to visit :Summer: Mid-March to mid-June, Monsoon: Mid-June to mid-November, Winter: Mid-November to February
How to get there : Rail-Hyderabad (150 km) Air-Hyderabad (150 km)
The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary ( 3568 Sq. km.); spreads over five districts - Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary was notified in 1978 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The Reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. The river Krishna flows through the sanctuary over a distance of 130 km. The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are important sources of irrigation and power in the state are located in the sanctuary. The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are a major tourist and pilgrim attraction for people from all over the country and abroad.
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.
Main Flora
Anogeissus latifolia, Cleisthanthus collinus, Terminalia species, Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, Tectona grandis, Mandelia suberora, Albizzia speciesMain Fauna
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, pangolin, spotted deer, sambar, mouse deer, black buck, chinkara, chausingha, mugger, python, cobra, peafowl.Accommodation
Three Forest Rest Houses and 40 bed capacity dormitories are available for tourist occupation in the Tiger Reserve at Srisailam, Mannanur and Nagarjunasagar. There are connections to Srisailam from Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Guntur, Kurnool, Markapur. The distance from these towns to Srisailam ranges between 90 to 240 km.General Information
Nearest town : Macherla (29 km)Best time to visit :Summer: Mid-March to mid-June, Monsoon: Mid-June to mid-November, Winter: Mid-November to February
How to get there : Rail-Hyderabad (150 km) Air-Hyderabad (150 km)