Telangana National Parks, Tiger Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries

Telangana National Parks, Tiger Reserves

Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Amrabad Tiger Reserve which is part of the Nallamala Forest track has rich Biological Diversity with several endemic species of flora and fauna.
• Earlier, it was part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, but post-bifurcation, the northern part of the reserve is vested with Telangana state and renamed as Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
• It is India’s second-largest Tiger Reserve, next only to Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
• The hilly terrain of this Tiger Reserve with deep valleys and gorges forms the catchment of the Krishna River.
• It lies in the three forest divisions of Amarabad, Achampet in Nagarkurnool district, and Nagarjunsagar division in Nalgonda district.
• Major reservoirs like the Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunsagar Dam are fed by the river Krishna and its several perennial streams that originate in the Tiger Reserve.
• It has a large presence of the Chenchu tribe.
• Major Fauna: Yellow-throated bulbul (VU), star tortoise (VU), mugger crocodile, tiger, leopard, nilgai, sambar.

Chenchu Tribe

• Chenchus are a hunter-gatherer community, designated as Scheduled tribe in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha.
• Many Chenchus live in the dense Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh.
• The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family.
• Chenchu’s relationship with non-tribal people has been largely symbiotic.
• They were in the news recently due to the Telangana government’s plan to start uranium mining in Amrabad Tiger Reserve. The uranium exploration and mining will leech dangerous chemicals into the Krishna River. It will also take away the livelihoods of the Chenchus.

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park

• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park is a national park located in Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Some of the animals making their home in the park include: pangolin, small Indian civet, peacock, jungle cat and porcupines.
• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park itself doesn’t have a river flowing through it, it is situated near the Musi River.
  • The Musi River is a tributary of the Krishna River and passes through the city of Hyderabad.

Kawal Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary

• Kawal Tiger Reserve is a nature preserve located at Jannaram mandal of Mancherial District in the Telangana.
• This sanctuary is catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam. The Godavari River flows along its southern boundary.
• Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests.
  • The sanctuary is one of the richest teak forests in the state, with dense pristine areas free of human disturbance.
• Major Fauna: Tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, chausingha, sloth bear.
• Threats: Growing human encroachment, rampant poaching, illegal wood felling and habitat loss.

Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park

• It is a deer park on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
• The park was named after Mahavir, a Jain saint.
• It is the largest green lung space in the city of Hyderabad.

Mrugavani National Park

• It is located on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
• Major Fauna: Spotted deer, wild boars, foxes.
  • The Park is home to around 350 spotted deer.

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Telangana

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is a part of the Dandakaranya forests of Mulugu district. 
• Godavari River passes through the sanctuary.
• It is inhabited by the Koya tribes. The biennial Sammakka Saralamma Jatara (Medaram Jatara) is held in the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kinnersani Wildlife Sanctuary

• It surrounds Kinnerasani Reservoir on Kinnerasani River.
• It is contiguous with the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary.

Lanja Madugu Siwaram Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is situated on the right bank of the Godavari River.
• It is home to marsh crocodiles (mugger).

Manjeera Crocodile Wildlife Sanctuary

• Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is located around Manjeera reservoir. Manjeera reservoir is a man-made reservoir that provides drinking water to Hyderabad. It is built on Manjeera River (a tributary of the Godavari River).
• The sanctuary is a riverine habitat supporting mugger crocodile (VU) & fresh water turtles.

Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located on the bank of Pranahita River and is famous for blackbuck (LC). Pranahita River carries combined waters of the Penganga, Wardha & Wainganga Rivers. The river empties itself into the Godavari River at Kaleswaram (Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project by Telangana).

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is situated adjacent to the Pakhal Lake, in Telangana.
• It is an artificial lake.

Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary

• Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Medak and Nizamabad districts of Telangana.
• It is named after the Pocharam lake, which was created as a result of the construction of the Pocharam Dam on the Allair River.