Biggest Tiger Reserve in India
-by Ishita Mondal
–Reading Time – 7 min Approx
–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya
Since early childhood, we have been asking, answering, and discussing questions related to the national bird, national flower, and the national animal of India. Our teachers never get tired of answering these questions. We do not get bored of asking these questions to the next generations for decades. So, what is the national animal of India? Yes, it is the tiger.
The black-yellow-stripped animal has received the honor of being the national emblem with its elegant and fierce aura. Now it is considered one of the most valuable national assets of the country and it also contributes much to the aesthetic appeal of the wildlife in India. In many places outside India, the tiger is known as a cultural pride of the country.
As per the report, a large share of the total tiger population of the world is owned by India. So, where do the royal animals live? Can we experience the majestic aura of the creature ever? Yes, we can. Since hunting and poaching had been alarming issues for wild animals, the Indian government decided to conserve them. Near about 104 national parks and 554 sanctuaries have been established till now to protect the wildlife.
The tiger reserves are conserving the animals, protecting them from any illegal trading or abuse. You can pay a visit to these tiger reserves to enjoy the beauty and elegance of the animal. Here, we will discuss a detailed study of the biggest tiger reserve in India. You will also get to know about other tiger reserves in India. So, let’s embark upon a journey to the biggest tiger reserve in India.
The Biggest Tiger Reserve in India- Nagarjunsagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve:
If you plan to visit the largest tiger reserve in India, you have to go to the Southern part of the country. In Andhra Pradesh, covering a wide range of five districts lays the biggest tiger reserve in India. It is the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. It covers the districts of Kurnool, Prakasham, Nalgonda, Guntur, and Mahabub Nagar. The total area of the reserve covers nearly 3,728 sq. km, including a core area of 1200 sq. km. Located inside the Nallamala forest area, Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam tiger reserve is the largest tiger reserve forest in India.
Along with the reservoirs, the ancient temples at Srisailam are also attractive tourist spots. We will get into that later on. Let’s have some details on the tiger reserve. Coming to a detailed description of the geography of the place, this is a predominantly hilly area. It includes a wide range of plains to cliffs. From high hills to deep valleys, you can enjoy diverse landforms here. The site contains several plateaus, including Amrabad, Srisailam, Sivapuram, Nekkanti, and Peddacheruvu. You can find the blissful serenity of River Krishna here too. Different waterfalls are located around the area.
The weather here is pleasant with an ample amount of rainfall. It receives rains from the South-West monsoon and the North-East monsoon during June, July, and September. After spending the dry month of October, it gets the North-East monsoon. When it comes to the area’s wildlife, it is found mainly at the plateaus during the monsoon days. When summer arrives, the wildlife shifts to the valleys as the plateaus do not have the major water body sources.
History of the Biggest Tiger Reserve in India:
Let’s go back to the time when Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam was not as famous as it is now. In 1978, the Nagrajuasagar-Srisailam was notified as a sanctuary. At that time, it hadn’t received the acknowledgment of being the tiger reserve. After few years, in 1983, it was declared a tiger reserve. It is reported that before India got its independence, southern parts of the reserve were under British control, and the rulers of Hyderabad controlled the northern parts. The rulers often consider it as a reserve for executing royal hunting. As per the census report, there were 90 tigers in the year 1989. But it was reduced to 39 in 1997.
If you are interested in ancient history, here is a bonus for you. The tiger reserve is associated with some great historical connections. Have you ever heard of the great Buddhist scholar Nagarjunacharya? You probably have a faint memory of memorizing the name from your history book at school. He was an Indian Buddhist scholar and philosopher who contributed a lot in propagating the dharma of the Gautam Buddha. He ran the ancient Nagarjuna Viswa Vidyalayam. The ruins of the school are located at Nagarjunsagar.
The historical ambiance of the place is further enhanced with the ruins of the fort of Ikshwaku Chandragupta, a great ruler of 3rd century B.C. At the banks of Krishna, you can find the ruins of many other forts. One of the noteworthy ones is the ancient fort of Raja Pratap Rudra. He was a king of the Kakateeya dynasty.
The Eye-Soothing Flora and Fauna of the Tiger Reserve:
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is one of the best places to enjoy nature’s creation. Different kinds of forests are found here. You can enjoy the tropical deciduous forest along with the Deccan thorn scrub forest. Also, you may have a look at the beautiful Hardwickia forest. Some of the important plant species are Axlewood, Anjan tree, Teak, etc. Now, what about the fauna? Although it is known as the biggest tiger reserve in India, the animal world here is not limited to tigers only.
A diverse range of different mammals is found here – sloth bear, Indian pangolin, chital, sambar deer, blackbuck, chinkara, etc. Also, rare species like Indian monitor, Indian star tortoise, rat snake, Indian Cobra, mugger crocodile, Indian Python, etc., are also there. Some special species of the place include Nagarjun Sagar racer snake, Sharma’s mabuya lizards, Ashwamedh writhing skink, etc.
Other Tiger Reserves in India:
If Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve has its majestic ambiance, other tiger reserves are not much less than that. So, let’s have a look at them too.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan:
Covering an area of 1.134 sq.km, the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the most significant tiger reserves in India. As per history, the royal family members at Rajasthan used to visit this place for hunting. Along with different species of tigers, you can enjoy a variety of bears, hyenas, Indian foxes, and jackals. Take a safari ride and enjoy the view!
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh:
With the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers, this is one of the best tiger reserves in India. You can enjoy the bliss of natural beauty, the perfect instance of biodiversity, and the ancient historical heritage here. The age-old Bandhavgarh Fort is here to quench your thirst for primitive elegance. So, if you plan to visit Madhya Pradesh, do not miss out on this tiger reserve.
Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand:
It would be unfair if we end our discussion without mentioning this reserve. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve is the oldest and one of the most popular tiger reserves in India formed to protect the tigers. Established in 1936, the tiger reserve is broadly known as Jim Corbett National Park. What sets it apart from the rest of the reserves is its abundant greenery. Along with tigers, you can see here 585 species of birds and seven different species of amphibians.
Sunderban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal:
If you are here planning to explore the tiger reserves, Sunderban is heaven for you. It is the home for the great Royal Bengal tiger. It is no wonder if you visit the place, you might find one peeping out from the bushes looking at you! Why an only tiger? The Sunderban is attractive as a safe and happy home for the endangered species belonging to various groups- aquatic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Well, unlike many other tiger reserves, you will not get a jeep safari to explore the jungle. Instead, you have to use the water transportation by boat and visit the jungle and water bodies.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka:
If you like to go camping while exploring the tiger reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve is the best option. It is the home for tigers and other animals, including elephants, gaurs, jackals, and sloth bears. You can enjoy great opportunities to enjoy various activities, including camping, water rappelling, trailing, etc. The natural beauty here steals the show.
Manas National Park, Assam:
Now, let’s have a tour to the northeast. Manas National Park in Assam is enlisted as a UNESCO world heritage site. If you want to enjoy exclusive natural visuals along with exceptional wildlife, visit it. The lovely lakes will definitely mesmerize you here. The abundant natural beauty, a large population of tigers, and a beautiful elephant reserve- that’s what will be on your plate when you visit the place.
Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh:
If you are in Madhya Pradesh and completed your trip to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, pay a visit to Kanha Tiger Reserve. It is also called Kanha-Kisli National Park. The beautiful floating streams are the attractions that many tourists fall in love with. Along with the tigers, you can find sloth bears, barasingha, Indian Leopard, etc.
The Takeaway- Have A Safe Journey:
So, here we have discussed a detailed study on Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, the biggest tiger reserve in India. Moreover, you have got the bonus of several other tiger reserves. So, what are you waiting for? Pack up and go to explore them! Have a happy and safe trip! Let the tourist inside you rejuvenate your soul.
-by Ishita Mondal
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