The annual economic flow benefits of the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) are worth a staggering ₹162.02 billion, says a report titled Economic Valuation of Tiger Reserves In India , brought out by the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA). The NSTR is one of the largest tiger reserves in the country and is spread over 3,800 sq.km. covering Guntur, Prakasam, and Kurnool districts in Andhra Pradesh and Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar in Telangana.
The reserve is home to a rising population of tigers said a recent report of the NCTA. There are 48 adult tigers and many more cubs and sub-adults, according to its assessment.
An undulating terrain featuring subterranean valleys and steep cliffs comprising Hardwickia forests and dry deciduous forest, the NSTR has emerged as the highest creator of economic flow benefits. Apart from the flow benefits worth ₹106.02 billion, equivalent to ₹0.43 million per hectare, the stock benefits are worth ₹501.30 billion per year, other ecosystem services include provisioning of water ₹50.55 billion per year, carbon sequestration (₹20.50 billion per year), climate regulation (₹43.01 billion per year) and waste assimilation (₹3.25 billion per year). The annual tangible benefits and intangible benefits were found to be ₹0.76 billion and ₹662.54 billion respectively. In terms of human values and ecosystem assets framework, the annual worth of service categories were adequate resources (₹78.27 billion), protection from disease (₹0.24 billion), benign physical and chemical environment (₹78.27 billion), socio-cultural fulfilment (₹47.43 million) and ecosystem assets (₹533.45 billion).
Tourism
Apart from being home to faunal species, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, the NSTR also offers a wholesome package of natural beauty, recreational activities, historical structures and religious hermitage adding to the value. It has three tourism zones, including Vijayapuri North Tourism Block, consisting of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Nallikal Reserve Forest, Vijayapuri South Tourism Block,comprising relics of Nagarjuna Sagar Buddhist University and Ethipothala Tourism which has Chandravanka Waterfall.
Job opportunities
Besides, the reserve has employment generation capacity by providing jobs to locals as helpers at base camps, strike force personnel and anti-poaching squads.
The reserve has about 1,514 tonnes of fish at an estimated value of ₹ 227.1 million per annum. The region also has timber worth ₹ 306.034 million and bamboo worth ₹ 4.32 million per year.
Further, the NSTR has a rich repository of genepool and biological information whose annual economic value of the service is ₹32.16 billion.
