Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana. Review on Melghat Tiger Reserve, Amravati

Amrabad Tiger Reserve – Nallamala Forest, Telangana

1. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve which is part of the Nallamala Forest of Telangana has rich bio diversity with several endemic species of flora and fauna.This Forest tract is home to the largest number of Tigers in Telangana State. The hilly terrain of this Tiger Reserve with deep valleys and gorges forms the catchment of the Krishna River.This Tiger Reserve(ATR) is one of the largest tiger reserves in India that extends about 2611.4 Sq Km over Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts of Telangana State Amrabad Tiger Reserve a well-known and well-preserved nature reserve in Nallamala Hills, part of the Eastern Ghats chain. Major reservoirs like the Srishailam Dam and Nagarjunsagar Dam are fed by the river Krishna and its several perennial streams that originate in the Tiger Reserve.

   
   




2. We visited the ATR on 03-04 May 2022. The package is called ‘ Tiger Stay Package ‘ and costs Rs 4600/ per couple. The package is from 1200 on the day of reporting to 1000 on the next day. The Tiger Reserve is located 160 km from Hyderabad on the Srisailam highway. The road is good, no road divider in most part and hence overtaking is not easy. We left Hyderabad at 0800 on 03 May so that we could reach by 1200 in time for lunch.

   
   




3. Our trip started around 1500 with briefing by Smt Shwetha who is the Education Officer of the ATR. There is a small video film followed by safari. Tiger sightings are extremely rare in this reserve as the tiger density vis-à-vis the area of the reserve is low . We could sight some deer, nilgai, wild boars and peacocks. The nature and greenery around are wonderful. The safari lasted almost three hours.

   
   




4. The next day we went for a trekking conducted by Mrs Shwetha herself along with her team members. It was a pleasant experience with great learning value.

   
   




5. The accommodation at the Reserve is simple and comfortable. My advice is, take your own drinking water for the entire stay of one day. Don’t go with the expectation of being received by a tiger, then you will enjoy the visit in the lap of the nature. Smt Shwetha and her husband Mr Akhil who is the Eco Development Officer and in-charge of the ATR complex are a fine couple who have a great passion for their jobs. Their task is multi-faceted. Environmental protection, prevention of non-bio-degradable stuff in the Reserve, dealing with the Adivasi Chenchus who inhabit the forest, predator vs prey conflict and many more aspects. We are impressed to see that the staff are committed to their job with honesty purpose.