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EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS WITH REFERENCE TO EASTERN GHATS The Eastern Ghats (EGs) comprise a chain of ancient low hills adjoining the east coast of India. It is located between 110 22' North latitudes and 77022' and 85020' East longitudes in the tropical region and starting from West Bengal pass through states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka The hills of Eastern Ghats with opulent Definition – Protected Areas biological diversity provide centers of endemism for floral and faunal life. Eastern ghats is A clearly defined geographical space, blessed with Wildlife Sanctuaries and National recognized dedicated and managed, Parks. The Wildlife Sanctuaries and National through legal or other effective means, Park of the Eastern Ghats has its rich to achieve the long‐term conservation of biodiversity with unique feature. Wildlife nature with associated ecosystem Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and National Parks services and cultural values are discussed below under sub-headings like (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)) location, area, established, forest type, flora, fauna and its uniqueness. TAMIL NADU VEDANTHANGAL BIRD SANCTUARY Location : In Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu; between 12032’44” N 79051’21”E. Area : 0.30 Sq. Kms Established : 1936 Forest type : Dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests Flora : Few species are Barringtonia acutangula, Acacia nilotica, Alangium salviflorum, etc Fauna : Few species are Egrets, Spot-billed Pelican, Open-billed Stork, Painted Stork, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Darter, Eurasian spoonbill. Uniqueness : Attracts Herons, Egrets, Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills. Open-billed Stork Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 1 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) ANDHRA PRADESH KAMBALAKONDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location : In Visakhapatnam district; between 17049’31” N to 83018’31”E. Area : 70.70 Sq. Kms. Established : 1970 Forest type : Dry evergreen forest mixed with scrub and meadows. Flora : Few species are Albizia odoratissima, Syzygium cumini, Tectona grandis, Catunaregam spinosa, Grewia tiliaefolia. Fauna : Few species are Russell's Viper, Indian Cobra, Chameleon, Asian Paradise- flycatcher, Treepie, Quails, Partridges. Uniqueness : A large and sprawling greenery around the Vizag City harbouring diverse flora & fauna. Albizia odoratissima NELAPATTU BIRD SANCTUARY Location : In Nellore district; between 13°49'32.99"N 79°57'54.99"E. Area : 4.40 Sq. Kms. Established : 1976 Forest type : Southern Dry Evergreen Scrub type of forest Flora : Few species are Barringtonia acutangula Babul, Psosopis sp., Ipomea sp. Fauna : Few rare and endangered species like Spot-billed Pelican, Open-Billed Stork, Painted Stork, Little Cormorant, Spoonbill, White ibis and Night-Heron. Uniqueness : Barringtonia acutangula trees providing nesting ground for Pelicans. Spot-billed Pelican Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 2 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) CORINGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location : In East Godavari district; between 16°-30' to 17°-00' N latitudes and 82°-14' to 82°- 23'E longitudes. Area : 235.70 Sq. Kms Established : 1978 Forest type : Mangrove forest Flora : Few species are rich in mangrove vegetation like Rhizophora sp., Avicennia sp., Sonneratia sp., Aegiceros sp. Fauna : Few species are Otter, Fishing Cat, Jackal, Marine Turtle. Home for some of the rare, endangered species like Smooth Indian Otter, Fishing Cat, Estuarine Crocodile. Uniqueness : The largest surviving patch of Mangrove forests in the State with more than 65 mangrove tree species. Smooth Indian Otter PAPIKONDA SANCTUARY : In East Godavari, West Godavari & Location Khammam districts; between 17°24'28"N 81°31'5"E. Area : 591 Sq. Kms Established : 1978 Forest type : Dry deciduous Teak forest Flora : Few species are Terminalia sp., Pterocarpus sp., Cassia sp. Fauna : Few species are Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Cheetal, Chowsingha, Sambar, Black Buck, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear. Uniqueness : The sight of mighty Godavari meandering through densely forested hills with deep gorges & valleys. Sloth Bear Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 3 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) NAGARJUNA-SRISAILAM SANCTUARY Location : In Guntur, Prakasham, Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar districts; between 16018’N 78059’E Area : 3568.09 sq.kms Established : Wildlife Sanctuary in 1978, Tiger Reserve in 1983. Forest type : Dry deciduous mixed forests Flora : Few species are Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia bellerica, Chloroxylon swietenia, Boswellia serrata Fauna : Few species are Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Tree Shrew, Black Buck, Sambar, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Wild Boar. The Indian wild dog is an endangered species found in this sanctuary. Uniqueness : Largest Tiger reserve in India spreading over 5 districts with river Krishna flowing through the reserve. Indian Wild Dog SRI LANKAMALLESWARA SANCTUARY Location : In Cuddapah district; between 14°35'7.99"N 78°56'42.34"E. Area : 464.42 Sq. Kms. Established : 1988 Forest type : Dry deciduous mixed thorn forests Flora : An endemic species like Pterocarpus santalinus is found here. Fauna : Few species are Panther, Sloth Bear, Cheetal, Sambar, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Fox and the Jerdon’s Courser (nocturnal bird). Uniqueness : The only habitat in the world harbouring the Jerdon’s Courser, a highly endangered bird. Jerdon’s Courser Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 4 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) ROLLAPADU BIRD SANCTUARY Location : In Kurnool district; between 15°43'39.79"N 78°20'4.01"E Area : 6.14 Sq. Kms. Established : 1988 Forest type : Open dry grassland interspersed with thorny bushes Flora : Few species are Manilkara hexandra, Strychnos sp., Ficus Tsiela. Fauna : Few species are Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, Wolf, Jackal, Bonnet Monkey, Russell’s Viper, Cobra. Uniqueness : The only habitat in the State for the rare and highly endangered Great Indian Bustard is observed here. Great Indian Bustard SRI VENKATESHWARA NATIONAL PARK Location : In Chittoor and Cuddapah districts; between 13°48'10.05"N 79°26'11.08"E. Area : 353.62 Sq. Kms Established : 1989 Forest type : Dry deciduous mixed forest with patches of moist deciduous forest Flora : Rare and endemic plant species like Shorea talura, Shorea tumbuggaia, Terminalia pallida, Cycas beddomei, Syzygium alternifolium, Psilotum nudum occur in this area. Fauna : Rare and endangered species like Golden Gecko, Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Tree Shrew and Flying. Uniqueness : Seshachalam hill ranges supports some of the endemic and highly endangered flora & fauna. Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 5 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) Golden Gecko KRISHNA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location : In Krishna and Guntur districts; between 15° 46′ 27″ N, 80° 56′ 39″ E. Area : 194.81 Sq. Kms. Established : 1989 Forest type : Mangrove forest Flora : Few species rich in mangrove vegetation are Rhizophora sp., Avicennia sp., Sonneratia sp., Aegiceras sp Fauna : Some of the rare species like Common Kukri Snake, Striped Keelback Snake, Checkered Keelback Snake, Common Trinket Snake, Rat Snake, Common Indian Bronzeback Snake, Common Green Whip Snake, Common Cat Snake Uniqueness : Mangrove forests in the Krishna estuary with unique flora & fauna. Common Green Whip Snake GUNDLA BRAHMESWARAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location : In Kurnool and Prakasam districts; between 15°37'41.83"N 78°43'57.36"E Area : 1194 Sq. Kms. Established : 1990 Forest type : Mixed deciduous Flora : Few species are Tectona grandis, Pterocarpus sp., Terminalia sp., Albizzia lebbeck, Anogeissius latifolia, Dalbergia sp. Fauna : Some of the endangered species of animals living in this Sanctuary are Chausingha, Chinkara, Nilgai, Blackbuck, Sambar and Pangolin. Uniqueness : Pristine forests of Nallamalai tract, rich in plants of Ethno-botanical values. Indian Gazelle (Chinkara) Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 6 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) KAUNDINYA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location : In Chittoor district; between 13001’30”N 78038’42”E Area : 357.60 Sq. Kms Established : 1990 Forest type : Southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forest Flora : Few species are Albizia sp., Acacia sp., Lagerstroemia sp., Ficus sp., Bamboo sp. Fauna : Few species are Indian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Panther, Cheetal, Boar, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Jungle Fowl, Star Tortoise, Slender Loris. The vulnerable Yellow-throated Bulbul is present in this sanctuary. Uniqueness : The only Elephant Reserve in the State and Kaigal and Kaundinya are two streams, which flow through this sanctuary. Yellow-throated Bulbul KOLLERU BIRD SANCTUARY Location : In West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh; between 16”39’N to 81”13’E. Area : 673 Sq. Kms. Established : 1999 Forest type : Fresh water lake. Flora : Few species are Ipomea sp., Typha sp., Albizzia sp., Prosopis sp., Reeds, Tall grasses, Water Hyacinth, Pharagmites, Ottelia. Fauna : Few species are Glossy ibis, Pintails, Teals, Open-Billed Stork, Painted Stork, Red-crested Pochards,. Uniqueness : It attracts migratory birds from countries like Australia, Siberia, Egypt and the Philippines. Red-crested Pochard Article 02/2014/ENVIS-Ecology of Eastern Ghats Page 7 of 13 EPTRI‐ENVIS Centre (Ecology of Eastern Ghats) TELANGANA KINNERASANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Location