The landscapes of Nallamalais is unique with Deep Valleys, Gorges Grass lands and Forests and a best place for promoting conservation education to general public, Pilgrims and students. Nestled in the Nallamala Ranges of Eastern Ghats, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is a repository of Biodiversity and an abode for endangered flora and fauna. The Largest Tiger Reserve in India with an area of 3727.82 Sqkms (Core and Buffer) spread over Prakasam, Kurnool and Guntur Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Most of the area is hilly terrain with plateaus, Ridges,Gorges and Deep valleys which support tropical mixed dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests with an under growth of bamboo and grass. Two Wildlife Santuraries namely Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Santuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM) constitutes the Tiger Reserve area.
Geologically the oldest river, Krishna forms the Northern most boundary of Tiger Reserve. Two multipurpose dams at Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar have been constructed on this river in the Tiger Reserve area limits. The famous ancient temple of Lord Mallikarjuna and his consort Goddess Bhramarambha is on the Srisailam plateau, being worshipped from time immemorial.
To elicit local support for wildlife and to impart conservation education to the visitors, eco-tourism programmes involving local communities have been initiated in NSTR in three locations Bairluty, Thummalabailu and Pacherla. Eco-tourism programmes like Jungle safari, Jungle camp, Nature trails, Trekking, Bird and Butterfly watching, Tribal Archery and Heritage walk are aimed to sensitize the visitors on nature conservation and to empower the local communities improving their livelihoods.
