Why in News?
The Telangana Forest Department has announced plans to launch safari tours at Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary near Paloncha in Kothagudem district, boosting eco-tourism in the region.
Key Facts: Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana (erstwhile Khammam district)
- River Basin: Located on the right bank of the Godavari River
- Total Area: Approximately 635.4 sq km
- Parent Forest Region: Integral part of the historic Dandakaranya Forest
- Kinnerasani River: A perennial river flowing through the sanctuary; a major tributary of the Godavari River
- Located near Paloncha town in Kothagudem district
Static/Exam Connect: Protected Areas in India
- Wildlife Sanctuaries declared under Section 26A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- National Parks declared under Section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Key difference: In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited human activities (like grazing) may be permitted; in a National Park, no such activities are allowed.
- Dandakaranya Forest: One of the largest forest tracts in Central India, spanning Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Named in the Ramayana.
- Godavari River: Longest river in Peninsular India (~1,465 km); originates at Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra.
Other Important Wildlife Sanctuaries in Telangana
- Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary — known for tigers and leopards
- Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary — part of the Dandakaranya region
- Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary — core area under Project Tiger
- Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve — largest tiger reserve in India by area
Quick Revision Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sanctuary Name | Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary |
| State | Telangana |
| District | Bhadradri Kothagudem |
| River (flows through) | Kinnerasani River (tributary of Godavari) |
| River Bank | Right bank of Godavari |
| Area | ~635.4 sq km |
| Parent Forest Region | Dandakaranya Forest |
| Largest Tiger Reserve in India | Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve |
| WPA Section for Sanctuary | Section 26A, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Common Confusion | Correct Fact |
|---|---|
| Kinnerasani is in Khammam district | After bifurcation, it is in Bhadradri Kothagudem district (erstwhile Khammam) |
| Kinnerasani River is a tributary of Krishna | It is a tributary of the Godavari River |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries allow no human activity | National Parks disallow human activity; Sanctuaries can permit limited activities |
| Dandakaranya is only in Chhattisgarh | Dandakaranya spans Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, AP, and Maharashtra |
Practice MCQs
1. Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which district of Telangana?
a. Warangal
b. Bhadradri Kothagudem
c. Adilabad
d. Nizamabad
Ans: B
Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary is in Bhadradri Kothagudem district (formerly part of Khammam district).
2. The Kinnerasani River, which flows through the sanctuary, is a tributary of:
a. Krishna River
b. Mahanadi River
c. Godavari River
d. Tungabhadra River
Ans: C
The Kinnerasani is a perennial river that is a major tributary of the Godavari.
3. Wildlife Sanctuaries in India are declared under which Section of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
a. Section 18
b. Section 26A
c. Section 35
d. Section 38
Ans: B
Section 26A deals with Wildlife Sanctuaries; Section 35 covers National Parks. Section 38 deals with Tiger Reserves.
4. The Dandakaranya Forest region, of which Kinnerasani is a part, spans across:
a. Only Chhattisgarh and Odisha
b. Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, AP, and Maharashtra
c. MP, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand
d. Telangana, AP, and Karnataka
Ans: B
Dandakaranya is one of Central India’s largest forest tracts, spanning five states.
5. Which is the largest tiger reserve in India by area?
a. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve
b. Kaziranga National Park
c. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
d. Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Ans: C
Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Telangana/AP is the largest tiger reserve in India by area (~3,728 sq km).
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