With their huge flexible bodies and good camouflage, tigers are the ultimate predators in the world. Its humongous look can make any one on the earth awestruck.
Pride of our Nation:
Undoubtedly the master of predators has all credits to be the pride of our country. Being the national animal of our India, it surely deserves all respect to be saved priory. When looking from surveys , from past 40,000 in last century it has great fall unfortunately at present. On a happier note current tiger population of India constitutes over 50% of the world’s tiger population and Telangana State is such place to have a Tiger Reserve which is the largest in the world.
Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve of Telangana is World’s Largest Tiger Reserve
Among the puzzling landscape of Nallamalla hills and in between the high elevated hills, rushing rivers and huzzle buzzle of dense dark forest area stands the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve for you – is a Wild Bliss for every tourist. Munnanur Forest Area of Telangana State is also a bliss for Wild Life Photographers.
Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve of Telangana State is the world’s largest tiger reserve and a very important tourist destination of Telangana State for its thick forest area and a home to various wild species. On a lighter note nobody who visits this place cannot escape from the eyes of wild cat of the world.
History says that famous Buddhist monk and scholar Nagarjuna lived here with his disciples and established Buddhist university, which is relocated on the banks of Nagarjunsagar reservoir.
Location and Topography of the place:
It Sweeps over an area of 5937 Sq.Km. It consists of a core area of 3568 Sq.Km, a buffer area of 1175 Sq.Km and 1194 Sq.Km of Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (also the parts of Nandyal and Giddalur Divisions) as an prolonged core. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is so big that it cannot be covered at one go.
Located in the Nallamala forest region – an offshoot of Southern Eastern Ghats of Telangana , Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam tiger reserve is curled among floral and faunal species. River Krishna rising in Sahyadri Hills and flows through the states of Maharastra and Karnataka rushes its way across Nallamala hills over 130 Kms. Truely this place is an treat for nature and wild lovers.
This forest is a dry vast forest has huge number of rare species like Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Black Bucks, Sambhars, Chousingha Nilgai, Wild Boar, Indian Giant Squirrel, Tree Shrew, Rayel, Mugger Crocodiles, Wild dogs, Jackals, Wolves, Foxes, Sloth Bear, Panthers, Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopard, sloth bear, Indian Python and many more species of reptiles. Also Nallamalla Forest is known for the rare plants which are grown is large number. Recently (in Feb 2014) large of deer from Nehru Zoological Park has been sent to Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger reserve.
There are many beautiful small and big waterfalls in this Nallamala Forest area which are a true delight to the eyes of the tourists. The road to Srisailam Lord Shiva temple goes via dense Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve forest which is around 75 Kms drive.
Munnanur is a major village and also a checkpost which comes at the beginning of Nallamala Forest. During weekdays the number of vehicles which cross thi checkpost is close to 1200 but the number doubles on weekends due to more number of tourists visiting the forest and other places.
According to 2010 Tiger Census, it reveals that the number of tigers here are between 53 and 66.
Spellbound by the population of tiger, this place has come under the Government Of India under Project Tiger.
State government has taken measures to ban the use of motor boats in Nagarjunsagar Dam reservoir to stop poaching tigers or other rare animals of the tiger reserve.
An amount of Rs.10 is collected at Munnanur Check post towards Forest Environment Conservation Fund and for the welfare of Chenchu tribals living in this forest area.
No vehicle is allowed to Tiger Reserve area between 9 PM to 6 AM to ensure there is no disturbance to wildlife.
Highest View Point of the Forest:
– Farahabad of Amrabad Mandal is located at an altitude of 145 metres above sea level is a perfect view point of the dense forest area of the tiger reserve
– The climate here is so pleasant that the meaning of the word ‘Farahabad’ is ‘Mount Pleasant’.
– Daily trips to Farahabad View Point is available from Mannanur Check post organized by Forest Department.
Trip to Farahabad: Price Rs. 500 per trip. Trip duration is 1.5 hours. Available from 7 AM to 4 PM daily from Munnanur check post.
Sad Threat to the place:
On the way to Srisailam temple , on the Mannanoor-Dornal road has a population of about 25,000, along with the buildings, markets and trash heaps present in the heart of a tiger reserve. Though traffic is banned at night and there are many speed breakers to slow down vehicles, irresponsible and rash driving occurs often which leads to killing of many wild animals. Telangana Government is taking strict measures and action against the depletion of our wild home of tigers.
Safari Ride:
– Safari rides are provided in the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger reserve with the Jeep vehicle. Tickets can be purchased at the forest office located in this area.
– Trekking and hiking routes are also available in this forest. One has to take the help of the forest officials for this.
Best Time to visit: October to April
Where to Stay:
– Good and comfortable accommodation is available at Forest Rest House at Mannanur
– Tourists can also avail multiple stay options near Nagarjunsagar Dam and Srisailam dam.
Contact Numbers:
– DFO, Achampet: 08541-272136, cell : 9440810060
– DFO, Atmakur: 08517-283337; Cell No.9440810058
– Forest Range Officer, Atmakur, Cell : 9440 810 273.
– DFO, Nagarjuna Sagar, Phone: 08680-276877; cell : 9440810062;
– Forest Range Officer, Nagarjunasagar, Cell : 9440 810283
Distance:
– Hyderabad to Farahabad View point is 156 Kms (close to 4 hours drive from Hyderabad)
– Hyderabad to Munnanur in Mahabubnagar District is 138 Kms (its a 3 hour drive from Hyderabad). Munnanur is the starting point for Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
How to Reach the Place:
By Road :
– Munnanur is located about 138 Kms from by road from south of Hyderabad. Many Public transport services are available from nearby places and mainly from Hyderabad. There are some direct buses to Mannanur from Mahabubnagar,
– Public and Private transport is also available to Farahabad and Mannanur from Achampet.
By Trains:
– Nearest Railway Stations are at Wanaparthy and Arepalli (near Gadwal) which are 129 Kms and 153 kms respectively from Munnanur.
By Air:
Nearest Airport is at Shamshabad, Hyderabad which is 150 Kms from Munnanur Forest Check post.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
– Mallelatheertham Falls <Click here to read>
– Uma Maheswaram Temple, Mahabubnagar <Click here to read>
– Gadwal <Click here to read>