Context-As per recent survey ,the number of tigers in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh has gone up, reversing the steady decline in the number of the endangered species over a period.

• The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), which showed an increase of six in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the TCF has drawn up an action plan to double its efforts to facilitate proliferation of the big cats in the largest tiger reserve in the country.
• In 2006, 95 tigers were found in unified Andhra Pradesh. The number declined to 72 in 2010 and 68 in 2014.
• The maiden AITE survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation using camera traps, unlike the conventional method of recording pug marks, showed that the State had 48 tigers, Telangana 26, registering an increase of six, sources in the Project Tiger 

Tiger conservation foundation (TCF)

• After Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority with effect from 4.09.2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
• Provision  made for the States to establish a Tiger Conservation Foundation, based on the good practices emanating from some tiger reserves. The proposed Foundation is a Trust, which would be constituted as per the appropriate statutory provisions in vogue in the State.
• It will have administrative autonomy as delegated by the State Government for fund generation to foster eco-tourism, eco-development and related activities involving the local people.

Efforts by TCF

• The TCF has decided to hike the Environment Maintenance Charge (EMC) and use the funds for anti-poaching activities, which included development of an intelligence network and reforestation of the degraded patches in the Nallamala forests.
• Accordingly, ?50 each would be collected from the owners of each light vehicle as against ?20 earlier, and ?100 as against ?50 from each heavy vehicle passing through the check-posts.

About Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam Tiger Reserve:

• The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, which is spread over Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar is the largest Tiger reserve in the country.
• This Tiger Reserve covers a total area of about 3,568 square kms.
• Srisailam’s temples and reservoirs are the major attraction for thousands of tourists and pilgrims visiting the holy town.
• The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Sanctuary was declared officially in the year 1978 and has been recognized by the Project Tiger in the year 1983.
• This Reserve has been renamed as the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1992. The reserve is known for its breath taking scenic beauty.
• Situated in the deciduous Nallamala forests, the mystifying landscape of the lofty hills and echoing valleys, exciting winding roads, perennial rivers, is this most charismatic world of the wild cats. It is a true wild paradise.
• The mighty River Krishna which rising in Sahyadri Hills and makes its way through Maharashtra and Karnataka flows across Nallamala tiger reserve.
• The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, are located in the reserve. The area consists mostly of the Nallamala Hills.
• The hill ranges contain number of plateau of which Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, Nekkanti are noteworthy.
• The Krishna river cuts its basin almost 200 m (660 ft) deep over a distance of 130 km (81 mi) through the reserve.
• It is home to a dazzling array of wild animals. In addition to the Bengal Tiger, which is the apex predator, many other species like leopard, rusty-spotted cat, sloth bear, wild dog, pangolin, mouse deer, Chausingha, Mugger Crocodiles, Indian Rock Python, and innumerable varieties of birds are found here.