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.