Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR)
According to officials, with 10 confirmed tiger cubs, and maybe two more that their mothers may have hidden from the prying eyes of camera traps, 2023 could just turn into a watershed year for Telangana’s Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
About Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR):
- Location: It is located in the Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts in the southern part of Telangana.
- Spread over 2611.4 square kilometers, it is one of the largest tiger reserves in India.
- It was notified as a sanctuary in 1983, and after the State bifurcation, it was declared as Amarabad Tiger Reserve in 2015.
- ATR covers a part of the Nallamala Forest and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
- The hilly terrain of this Tiger Reserve, with deep valleys and gorges, forms the catchment of the Krishna River.
- Flora:
- Dense grass occurs in 30% of the area and is scattered in an additional 20%.
- Dominant tree species include Terminalia tomentosa, Hardwickia binata, Madhuca latifolia. Diospyros melanoxylon, Gardenia latifolia etc.
- Fauna:
- Major wild animals found are Tiger, Leopard, Wild dog, Indian Wolf, Indian fox, Rusty-spotted cat, Small Indian civet, Sloth bear, Honeybadger, Wild boar etc.
- Over 303 bird species have been identified in this region. Some important groups include Eagles, Pigeons, Doves, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Drongos etc.