Exploring the Untamed Beauty of Telangana’s Amrabad Tiger Reserve – MAP

Amrabad tiger reserve

Amrabad tiger reserve location: Amrabad is a village in the Nalgonda district of Telangana, India. It is located in the eastern part of the state, about 200 kilometers from the state capital, Hyderabad. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the vicinity of Amrabad village. The reserve covers an area of approximately  2,800 square kilometers and is home to a variety of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, and spotted deer. It is also an important habitat for a number of migratory birds, including flamingos and pelicans.

Amrabad tiger reserve has an area of 2,800 Sq. Km. in the districts of Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda of Telangana, is the second-largest tiger reserve in India in 2021. It was earlier a part of Nagarjunasagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve but, post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2004, the northern part of the Tiger reserve was transferred to Telangana and renamed as Amrabad Tiger Reserve. The southern portion of the Reserve which continues to be NSTR is with Andhra Pradesh. There are an estimated 23 tigers in these forests which are frequently seen on camera trappings installed by the forest department.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve lies in the Nallamalla Hills in Telangana and one can reach the Amrabad tiger Reserve by taking the road from Hyderabad to Srisailam.

Nallamalla Hills

The Nallamalla Hills are a range of mountains in the eastern part of the Deccan Plateau in India. They are located in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and are part of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. The Nallamalla Hills are home to a variety of plant and animal species and are an important habitat for many endangered species. The hills are covered in deciduous forests and are home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and spotted deer.

The Nallamalla Hills are also an important source of water for the region, with several rivers and streams originating from the hills. The hills are a popular destination for trekking and hiking, and are also home to several ancient temples and other cultural sites.

Importance of a Tiger Reserve

There are several important roles that a tiger reserve, including the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, plays in the conservation of wildlife and the environment:

1. Habitat protection: Tiger reserves provide a protected area for wildlife to live and thrive, helping to preserve biodiversity and the local ecosystem.
2. Endangered species protection: Many tiger reserves, including the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, are home to endangered species, such as the Bengal tiger and Indian leopard. By protecting these species and their habitats, tiger reserves play a critical role in the conservation of these animals.
3. Ecological balance: Tiger reserves help to maintain the balance of the local ecosystem, by protecting the species and habitats within the reserve.
4. Scientific research: Tiger reserves are often used for scientific research, allowing scientists to study the local flora and fauna and learn more about the ecosystem.
5. Education and awareness: Tiger reserves can also serve as educational centers, helping to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and the need to protect endangered species.
6. Recreational opportunities: Many tiger reserves, including the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, offer recreational activities such as guided tours and wildlife viewing, which can provide economic benefits to local communities.

History of Sepration from NSTR

Before the separation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Amrabad Tiger Reserve was part of India’s largest tiger reserve. Despite the division, it still happens to be India’s second-largest tiger reserve, next only to its partner Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Together they form what is probably India’s largest protected dry forest.

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve was previously a part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, which is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve was established in 1983 and covers an area of approximately 5937 square kilometers in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In 2014, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve was carved out of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to create a separate protected area. The decision to create the Amrabad Tiger Reserve was made in order to improve the management and conservation of the tiger population in the region. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is now managed by the Telangana Forest Department, while the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is managed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.

There are several benefits to the separation of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve from the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve:

1. Improved management: By creating a separate protected area, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve can be managed more effectively, with specific conservation efforts and resources focused on the area.
2. Enhanced conservation efforts: The separation of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve allows for more targeted conservation efforts within the reserve, which can help to protect and preserve the local wildlife.
3. Increased tourism: The creation of a separate tiger reserve may attract more tourists to the region, which can provide economic benefits to local communities.
4. Increased awareness: The separation of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve may increase awareness about the importance of conservation in the region, which can help to promote long-term sustainability.
5. Increased funding: The creation of a separate protected area may also result in increased funding for conservation efforts within the reserve, which can help to support the local ecosystem.

You can read about All 52 Tiger reserves in India with Map

Amrabad Tiger Reserve – Krishna River

Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forest is home to the largest number of Tigers in Telangana State. It is a mystifying landscape of lofty hills and cavernous valleys, perennial rivers. The hilly terrain of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, with its deep valleys and gorges, forms the catchment area of the Krishna River. The Krishna River is an important water source for the region.

The catchment area of a river is the area of land from which the river collects water, through rain and other forms of precipitation. The catchment area of the Krishna River includes the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and the surrounding hills, which help to provide water to the river. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is an important part of the Krishna River’s catchment area, as it helps to protect the local ecosystem and maintain the water quality of the river.

The Nallamala hills where the Amrabad Tiger Reserve lies, is a landscape that is recovering after over two centuries of degradation by the British and the Nizam of Hyderabad. This area has presence of Chenchu Tribe.

Chenchus Tribe Role

Chenchus are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. They are forest dwellers of the Nallamala forests. The Chenchus are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) that are found in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and the surrounding areas. The Chenchus are a traditional hunter-gatherer community that have lived in the Nallamalla Hills for centuries.

They have a deep knowledge of the local flora and fauna and have traditionally relied on the forest for their livelihood. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in an area that is traditionally inhabited by the Chenchus, and the tribe plays an important role in the management and conservation of the reserve. The Chenchus are involved in several conservation initiatives in the area, including the protection of endangered species and the promotion of sustainable forestry practices.

Chenchu Tribe

• The Chenchu Tribe is a very small nomadic forest tribe who wanders across the bordering area of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha in search of livelihood. 
• The origin of name Chenchu have two interpretation
  • It is said that ‘Chenchu’ is a person who lives under a ‘Chettu’ (tree).
  • Another interpretation is related to Chenchu’s habit of eating mice (Chenchu). 
• The Chenchus and Yanadis, a tribe of Andhra Pradesh is believed to have descended from the same ethnic stock.
• History reveals that Chenchu tribals are the first dwellers of the Andhra region much before the Dravidians. 
• According to a belief the Chenchus were employed by the kings of the south India to protect the river Krishna and Tungabhadra.
• In Odisha, they are largely found in the undivided Koraput district. 
• Chenchu tribals mainly inhabit the Nallamalai Hills in the southeastern India comprising parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. 
• These tribes claim that the female deity Brahma Rambha of Srisailam belongs to their community. 
• These tribals speak a language of their own called ‘Chenchu” and it belongs to the Dravidian language family
• Chenchus are nomadic, forest-dwelling, forest-dependent tribe of hunters and food gatherers, So in the past they used to live in caverns or under the shady trees. 
• With time they also evolved and now they live in small huts, situated at the edge or interiors of forests to facilitate food gathering. 
• Also Now, these tribal community is gradually shifting to marginal agriculture and allied activities.

Some Rituals of Chenchu Tribe

• Chenchu practice early marriage and prefer cross-cousin marriage.
• Chenchu either bury or cremate the dead and observe mourning for ten days. Purificatory rites are held on the 3rd and the 10th day after death.
• They worship a number of deities and observe rituals and festivals. 
• The dances they perform have no religious significance but are performed for recreation.

FAQ