Context:

An operation was launched by experts from Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to rescue an adult male tiger sighted in Elluru Forest Range, Andhra Pradesh.

• One of the biggest challenges for the authorities is to locate the pugmarks of big cats since the thick growth of oil palm plantations dominates the area.

About Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

• Origin of Name: Two major dams located in the region, namely Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and the Srisailam Dam, are contributors to the name of Tiger Reserve Nagarjuna-Srisailam.
• Location: 
• • Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is situated in the Nallamala hill range, part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. It attained tiger status in 1983.
  • The tiger reserve encompasses Nallamala Hill and spans across five districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 
  • The Krishna River bisects it.
  • Area: It is the largest tiger reserve in the country. The total area of the tiger reserve is 3727 km sq.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries: The Tiger Reserve is mainly constituted by two wildlife sanctuaries, namely the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Vegetation: Ecology
• • Flora: It features tropical, dry, moist, deciduous vegetation and houses rich floral diversity comprising trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers. The most prominent trees found here are Nallamaddi, Chirumanu, Billudu, Yepi, etc.
  • Fauna: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Wild dog, Sloth bear, Wolf, etc.

News Source:  The Hindu