Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?
Contents11
- ACorbett
- BRanthambore
- CNagarjunsagar-Srisailam
- DSunderbans
Show answer
Answer: (C) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
The question asks which tiger reserve has the largest Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH).
Critical Tiger Habitats (also called "core areas" of tiger reserves) are identified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These are areas kept inviolate for tiger conservation, notified by state governments.
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the LARGEST tiger reserve in India, with a total area of 3,728 km². It spreads across five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar).
For comparison:
- Corbett: Around 1,318 km²
- Ranthambore: Around 1,334 km²
- Sundarbans: Around 2,585 km²
Answer: C (Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam).
Key Takeaway: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam = LARGEST tiger reserve in India = 3,728 km² = spread across 5 districts in AP/Telangana. Remember it as "Nagarjun = Largest."
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is India's largest tiger reserve at 3,728 sq km, spanning five districts across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Critical Tiger Habitat refers to the inviolate core areas of tiger reserves notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, where human activities are restricted for tiger conservation.
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Environment Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve: India's Largest
Largest tiger reserve in India with 3,728 km² area
Spreads across 5 districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Named after Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam
Created by merging Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam sanctuaries in 1983
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is India's largest tiger reserve, spanning the Krishna River valley. It was formed by merging two existing sanctuaries and is named after two major dams in the region.
Key Details
Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
Total Area | 3,728 km² (largest in India) |
States | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
Districts Covered | Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur (AP) + Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar (Telangana) |
River System | Krishna River and tributaries |
Established as TR | 1983 |
Named After | Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam |
Location Map
Source: PMF IAS — Andhra Pradesh National Parks, Tiger Reserves, Wildlife ... · www.pmfias.com
Special Features
Inter-state tiger reserve - one of the few spanning multiple states
Part of the Deccan Plateau with dry deciduous forests
Home to leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs besides tigers
Contains ancient Buddhist sites including Nagarjunakonda island
Trap: Don't confuse with Nagarhole (Karnataka) - similar name but different reserve
Trap: Students often pick Sundarbans assuming mangroves = large area, but Nagarjunsagar is 1,143 km² larger
Memory trick: Nagarjun = Largest - both start with consonant clusters
Critical Tiger Habitat
Environment Critical Tiger Habitat
Critical Tiger Habitat: Core Areas for Tiger Conservation
Core areas of tiger reserves kept inviolate for tiger conservation
Notified by state governments under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
No human activities allowed except research and monitoring
Critical Tiger Habitats are the core areas within tiger reserves where tigers get absolute protection. These areas are kept completely free from human interference to ensure undisturbed breeding and movement.
CTH vs Buffer Areas
Aspect | Critical Tiger Habitat (Core) | Buffer Zone |
|---|---|---|
Legal Status | Inviolate under WPA 1972 | Multi-use area |
Human Activity | Prohibited except research | Limited eco-tourism allowed |
Notified By | State Government | State Government |
Rights | No rights permitted | Limited traditional rights |
Purpose | Breeding habitat protection | Transition zone to human areas |
Legal Framework
Defined under Section 38V of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Forest Rights Act, 2006 does not apply in CTH areas
Relocation of villages from CTH areas is voluntary with compensation
NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) provides guidelines
Trap: CTH ≠ Total tiger reserve area - CTH is only the core portion
Trap: Don't confuse CTH with Ecologically Sensitive Areas - different legal categories
Major Tiger Reserves Comparison
Environment Corbett Ranthambore Sunderbans
Major Tiger Reserves: Area & Key Features
Corbett (Uttarakhand) - India's first National Park (1936)
Ranthambore (Rajasthan) - famous for diurnal tigers and fort ruins
Sundarbans (West Bengal) - world's largest mangrove forest
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam - largest by area (3,728 km²)
Area Comparison
Tiger Reserve | State | Area (km²) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | AP & Telangana | 3,728 | Largest in India |
Sundarbans | West Bengal | 2,585 | Mangrove ecosystem |
Ranthambore | Rajasthan | 1,334 | Diurnal tigers, fort ruins |
Corbett | Uttarakhand | 1,318 | First National Park (1936) |
Distinctive Features
Corbett: Named after Jim Corbett, covers Sal forests, part of Terai ecosystem
Ranthambore: 10th century fort inside park, tigers easily spotted during day time
Sundarbans: Swimming tigers, Royal Bengal Tigers, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nagarjunsagar: Dry deciduous forests, Krishna River system, inter-state reserve
India's Tiger Reserves
Source: India Map — List of Tiger Reserves in India, Map of Tiger Reserves in India · www.mapsofindia.com
Trap: Corbett is famous but not the largest - size ≠ fame in UPSC questions
Trap: Sundarbans feels large due to mangroves but is smaller than Nagarjunsagar
Memory aid: Nagarjun = Largest, Corbett = First, Ranthambore = Fort, Sundarbans = Mangroves