The dry deciduous teak and miscellaneous forests of the broken western ghats make the area a land for the tiger. Over 20 species of mammals, several species of reptiles and a rich and varied bird life live under this forest umbrella. Established as a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973-74 the area of timber yielding moist deciduous forests have improved due to effective protection and the status of vegetation is particularly conspicuous in the western and central zones of the reserve. However the scrub forests are still struggling with the stunted and poor growth due to the hacking for firewood and grazing by the neighbouring villages in the Eastern and Northern outskirts of this Tiger Reserve. Grazing pressures have not reduced since the inception of this reserve.
Peripheral areas reveal a degree of degradation due to grazing.
The area is prone to fires and the threat of Sandalwood smuggling and elephant poaching forces the forest staff to be extremely vigilant. The tiger shares this land with leopards, wild dogs, gaur and elephants. Tobacco cultivation on the northern boundary of the reserve causes a menace for wildlife management since green firewood is illicitly removed from the fringes of the reserve at night. Shifting cultivation practised by tribals in the area has stopped, and grazing rights to the area have ceased. Since water is a limiting factor a lot of work has been done to create new water holes all over the area.