Nagarjunsagar

Off the regular tourist circuit, a visit to the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve helps in gaining a closer look into a forest that was almost given up as lost until a few years ago. It is not possible to see the entire reserve at one go but one trip can always lead to another.

Fast Facts
	Area 356,000 ha Altitude 400-917 m Rainfall 590-760 mm Minimum Temperature 12°C Maximum Temperature 42°C Languages: Telugu, Hindi, and English Best Time To Visit: November to March STD Code: 08524 (Srisailam)

Location:
The sanctuary lies in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in the catchment area of the Krishna River. The region comprises five districts of the state namely Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar. The sanctuary extends between latitude 16°15¢-16°45¢ in the North and longitude 78°45¢-80°00¢ in the East. It is surrounded by the Nallamalai Hills on the southern and eastern side while the Krishna River forms the boundary on the other side. The sanctuary is 13 km from Macherial.

Climate:
The climate of this region is hot and arid. Summer months are especially unbearable with the maximum temperature going above 40°C in the moths of March-June. Winters are pleasant with the minimum temperature hovering around 10°C. Rains are brought about by the southwest monsoon that prevails from June to October.

FLORA AND FAUNA:

The sanctuary lies in an area of tropical dry deciduous forest. The flora here can be broadly classified into four main types: (i) the plain vegetation that comprises herbs and some shrubs, few trees, and marshes with sedges and herbs near the river; (ii) scrub jungle and climbers in the foothills; (iii) thorn forest on the well-drained hill slopes; and (iv) dry deciduous forest on the hilltops. Niebuhria apetala, Ziziphus xylopyrus, Cissus vitiginea and Pterolobium indicum are some of the rare plants of the region.

Fauna includes langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, jungle cat, wild dog, wolf, jackal, Bengal fox, sloth bear, smooth-coated otter, palm civet, striped hyena, wild boar, Indian spotted chevrotain, Indian muntjac, sambar, spotted deer, nilgai, four-horned antelope, blackbuck, chinkara, Indian pangolin, giant flying squirrel, Indian porcupine and Indian tree shrew. The avifauna is represented by nearly 150 species, including the grey hornbill and of course the peafowl. Reptiles include Indian soft-shelled turtle, monitor lizard, Indian python, and marsh crocodile.

ATTRACTIONS:
Evolved out of different needs, the town of Srisailam is divided into three zones. Srisailam or the original pilgrim town centers round the age-old temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, incarnations of Shiva and Parvati. A fairly stocked marketplace and several lodges for pilgrims lie alongside the temple quadrangle. About eight kilometers from the temple town is Sunnipenta, another ridge top where most offices and a few eating houses are located. Also located here is the office of the Project Tiger and the Field Director. The dam site on the river Krishna-the Srisailam Hydel Projects-makes up the third zone.

Nestling in the Nallamalai Hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus, endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, the NSTR protects a large portion of the once flourishing ecological system that existed here. Without having the benefit of being an erstwhile royal game preserve, the forest in this area was always open to human visitation. Pilgrims from all over southern India carved out routes through the forest to reach Srisailam. It was in 1973 that the area was declared a sanctuary and incorporated under Project Tiger a decade later.

A little over 6 sq km in area, the Rollapadu grasslands near Srisailam are dotted with dry, thorny bushes and is home of about a hundred blackbucks. From a distance, one can observe families of blackbucks out on their breakfast trail, a couple of bustards gazing at the horizon while taking a tentive foot forward. At present, day visits to Rollapadu Sanctuary is permitted.

Other attractions:


Places nearby:
Mannanur is a pre-existing tribal hamlet with a comfortably furnished camp bungalow. Next to the bungalow are a crocodile pond and an environment education center. From Mannanur, one can explore the western corner of the tiger reserve. The forest area here is thickly set with miscellaneous timber species with local names like Nallamadi (Terminalia tomentosa), Chirumanu (Anogeissus latifolia), etc., as well as stretches of teak forest. One can also spot spotted deers, sambars, and nilgais here.

Nagarjunsagar is the place where excavations have unearthed many historical monuments belonging to 1st and 2nd century AD. The place is also home to a large dam built on the river Krishna.



Reaching there:

By Air:
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 316 km away from Srisailam. Hyderabad is connected to many important cities in India including Delhi and Mumbai, the major international gateways.

By Rail:
Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 km away) on the South Central Railway.

By Road:
Srisailam is 190 km from Kurnool, 220 km from Guntur, 470 km from Chennai, and 85 km from Mannanur.

Staying there:
Three guesthouses/temple cottages with 248 beds are available at present in the forest area. Therefore, the available accommodation at these places can be depended upon while visiting the reserve.

Links to the outside world:
STD/ISD facilities are available at Srisailam and some other places nearby. Postal and telegraph facilities are available at Srisailam.

TRAVEL TIPS:
Since regular tourism within the reserve is yet to take off, the roads inside the forest can only be tackled with vehicles fitted with four-wheel drives. At present, the forest department has no vehicle to lend out or for hire.

Before visiting the tiger reserve, it is advised to contact the Field Director at the following address: Field Director,
Project Tiger
Sunnipenta, Srisailam
Tel: 08524-86089