Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is a tiger reserve spanning five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, covering wide tracts of dry forest and rocky slopes. The terrain rises to the Nallamala Hills, where open grassland alternates with dense tree cover and streams flow through gorges.

The government declared the area a protected zone for the region's tigers in 1978 after forest cover and prey populations had declined. Five years later, it joined the national program to rescue Bengal tiger populations.

The name combines two major reservoirs along the Krishna River, whose waters supply surrounding plains and whose shores draw pilgrims. Villages at the edge of the territory carry centuries-old knowledge of medicinal plants and tree species, which rangers now involve in monitoring the forest.

The cooler months between November and February suit forest drives best, as animals appear more often at water sources then. Visitors can register at entry points in surrounding towns, where guides adjust routes depending on season and weather conditions.

Two dams run through the reserve, generating electricity for millions of households while their artificial lakes offer new habitats for waterbirds and migratory species. This combination of energy and conservation makes the territory a rare example of dual use in India.

Location: Kurnool district

Location: Guntur district

Location: Prakasam district

Location: Mahabubnagar district

Location: Nalgonda district

Inception: 1983

Elevation above the sea: 917 m

GPS coordinates: 16.03580,78.93140

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36