4.2 TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC WILDLIFE HABITAT

Dry deciduous vegetation, large reservoir and riverine habitats form the natural mosaic of wildlife habitats within the study zone. The topography of the area lends itself to the occurrence of varied wildlife habitats. Dry tracts in the flatter areas, River Krishna with hill slopes on either side, gorges and rock shelters contribute to the existence of variety of wildlife species characteristic of Central region of Deccan peninsular. The area is a home for Spotted deer, Nilgai, Black buck, and Four horned antelope. River Krishna and Nagarjunasagar Reservoir provides good aquatic habitats for resident as well as migratory birds. Krishna river is the habitat for Mugger Crocodile, Smooth Indian Otter and many varieties of fishes and amphibians. Flocks of demoiselle cranes and Bar headed geese are reported from Nagarjunasagar (Rao, 1991) and Choudhury and Bustard (1982). Python and Pangolin are also reported from thorny scrub area of Pasuvemula, Ethipothalla, Tumurkonda, Rajawaram, Nidigul and Nellikal Reserved Forest areas. Of the large mammalian fauna tiger and leopard are reported from almost every ecological zone of Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve including the areas under the survey zone (Rao, 1991).