Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

The hill ranges contain a number of plateaus including Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, and Nekkanti. Nagarjunasagar receives rains from the southwest monsoon, which is active from the second half of June to the end of September. The Krishna River cuts its basin almost 200 m (660 ft) deep over a distance of 130 km (81 mi) through the reserve. There are several waterfalls in the reserve such as the Ethipothala Falls, Pedda Dukudu, Gundam and Chaleswaram.^[2]

This reserve is located between longitude: 78°30' to 79°28' east and latitude: 15°53' to 16°43' north. Elevation varies from 100 to 917 m (328 to 3,009 ft).^{[citation needed]} Average annual rainfall is 1,000 mm (39 in).^{[citation needed]}

This area contains several rock shelters and cave temples including: Akka Mahadevi Bhilam, Dattatreya Bhilam, Umaa Maheswaram, Kadalivanam, and Palankasari.^[2][3][4]

The main types of forest biomes in the reserve are: southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest, Hardwickia forest and Deccan thorn scrub forests with much Euphorbia scrub. Important plant species here are: Anogeissus latifolia (axlewood), Cleisthanthus collinus (odcha), Terminalia spp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata (anjan tree), Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense or salai), Tectona grandis (teak), Mundulea sericea and Albizia spp. (silkplants).^[2]

The main mammals in the reserve are: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole, Indian pangolin, chital, sambar deer, chevrotain, blackbuck, chinkara and chowsingha. Lesser fauna include mugger crocodile, Indian python, Indian cobra, rat snake, Bengal monitor, Indian star tortoise and Indian peafowl.^[2]

In a study (conducted during 2016–2019) that ascertained the economic value of the ecosystem services provided free of cost by the 'Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve', it was found that the economic value of 'Regulating Services' (such as carbon sequestration, water provisioning and purification, soil conservation, nutrient retention, pollination, climate regulation, gene pool protection, waste assimilation, etc.) amounted to Rs 16,041.15 crore per year. 'Provisioning Services' amounted to Rs 766.99 million per year, while 'Cultural Services' and 'Supporting Services' amounted to Rs 17.40 million per year and Rs 818.11 million per year respectively.^[5]