The Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) has been ranked first among India’s 55 tiger reserves for its leopard population, with an estimated 360 leopards as per the ‘EnviStats India-2024’ report.

EnviStats India-2024 Report

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 7th edition of the ‘EnviStats India-2024: Environment Accounts’.
• The report estimated India’s leopard population at around 13,874.
• Andhra Pradesh houses about 569 leopards, with the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) alone sheltering nearly 360.
• Leopard population surveys differ from those of tigers and lions
  • Experts analyse footprints to distinguish between male and female leopards, with males’ footprints typically squarer, while females’ are more rectangular. 
  • Leopard footprints measure between 7 cm to 8 cm, compared to 14 cm to 15 cm for tigers.

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Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)

• Location: Situated in the Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats.
  • The tiger reserve spans across five districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 
• It is India’s largest tiger reserve with the most extensive Critical Tiger Habitat area with more than 80 Tigers.
• Named after Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam Dams, the reserve also includes the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
• River Krishna traverses through this reserve.
• Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous forests with bamboo and grass undergrowth.
• Fauna: Includes tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs, and jackals.
• Prey Species: Sambar, chital, wild boar, and more.

About Leopards

• Scientific Name: Panthera pardus.
• The smallest of the big cats, known for its adaptability to various habitats.
• Nocturnal and preys on smaller herbivores like chital and wild boar.
• Habitat: Found across Africa to Asia, including the Indian subcontinent.
• Madhya Pradesh has the highest leopard population at 3,907, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Conservation Status:
• • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix-I
  • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I

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