Second Largest Tiger Reserve
Why it Matters?
The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has become India’s second-largest tiger reserve after the National Board for Wildlife approved an expansion of 1,044.68 sq km, raising its total area to 3,629.57 sq km.
What You Should Know?
The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is now India’s second-largest tiger reserve.
The only larger reserve is the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh.
The expansion was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in August 2025.
The three newly added ranges are Matla, Raidighi, and Ramganga in South 24 Parganas district.
The Sundarbans currently has an estimated 101 tigers, according to the latest census.
Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve
It is located in Andhra Pradesh, covering the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats.
It is spread over five districts: Nandyal, Prakasam, Palnadu, Nalgonda, and Kadapa.
It is the largest tiger reserve in India.
The reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger.
In 1989, it was also recognised as a Biosphere Reserve.
The Krishna River flows through the reserve and forms the Nagarjunasagar Dam and the Srisailam Dam.
The Bengal Tiger is the flagship species of this reserve.
Other important wildlife includes Leopard, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wild Dog, Wolf, Marsh Crocodile, and Indian Pangolin.
The reserve also houses ancient temples, including the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple, which is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.