Definition – Protected Areas
A clearly defined geographical space, recognized dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long‐term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values
(International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN))
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS WITH REFERENCE TO
EASTERN GHATS
Dr. M. Suneela, ENVIS Coordinator and Dr. K. Jyothi, EPTRI
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 biological diversity provide centers of endemism for floral and faunal life. Eastern ghats is blessed with Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks. The Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park of the Eastern Ghats has its rich biodiversity with unique feature. Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and National Parks are discussed below under sub-headings like 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
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
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
Location : In East Godavari, West Godavari &
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
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
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.
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)
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
TELANGANA
KINNERASANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Khammam district; between 17046’30” N 80033’32”E.
Area : 635.40 Sq. Kms. Established : 1977 Forest type : Dry deciduous forest Flora : Few species are Bambusa sp., Terminalia
sp., Anogeissus sp., Cassia sp.. Fauna : Few species are Tiger, Panther, Gaur,
Cheetal, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Sambar, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Partridges.
Uniqueness : Deer Park, Kinnerasani Dam and Reservoir. Kinnerasani Lake with densely forested islands
Partridges
ODISHA
HADGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts; between latitude 21016’ to 20045’ N and longitudes 860-20’E.
Area : 191.06 sq. km. Established : 1978 Forest type : Mixed deciduous forests Flora : Few species are Shorea robusta, Cassia
sp. Fauna : Few species are Leopard, Wild Dog,
Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Elephant, Nilgai, Migratory Duck, Mugger, Jungle Cat, Pangolin.
Uniqueness : Baula hill range and Salandi river are the main features.
Pangolin
KOTAGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Phulbani district; between latitudes 1900' to 19056' N and longitudes 83012" to 8400' E
Area : 399.05 sq. km. Established : 1981 Forest type : North Indian Moist Peninsular Sal Forest,
Northern tropical semi evergreen forest Flora : Few species are Adina cordifolia, Careya
arborea, Mallotus Philippensis, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Buchanania lanzan, Bauhinia sp., Cleistanthus collinus.
Fauna : Few species are Nilgai, Leopard, Bison, Sambar, Spotted Deer, varieties of birds and reptiles.
Uniqueness : The dense lush green forest with sylvan and serene picturesque beauty is the major attraction.
Nilgai
KHALASUNI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Sambalpur district; between
21020'30.63"N 84°28'43.51"E.
Area : 116 sq. km. Established : 1982 Forest type : Moist deciduous and tropical dry forests Flora : Few species are Bambusa sp. Cassia sp. Fauna : Few species are Leopard, Bison, Sambar,
Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl.
Uniqueness : The secluded enclaves of this Sanctuary is the home of several variegated species of wildlife.
Bison
LAKHARI VALLEY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Gajapati district; between latitude 19015' to 19025' N and longitude 84015' to 84025' E.
Area : 185.87 sq. km. Established : 1985 Forest type : Tropical mixed deciduous forest. Flora : Few species are Tectona grandis, Shorea
robusta, Pterocarpus marsupium, Bambusa sp.
Fauna : Few species are Blackbucks, Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Hyena, Wild boar, Spotted Deer, Elephant.
Uniqueness : This sanctuary has its rich in floristic composition and medicinal plants
Blackbuck
SIMLIPAL NATIONAL PARK
Location : In Mayurbhanj district; between latitude 21028' to 2208' N and longitudes 8604' to 86037' E.
Area : 845.70 sq.km. Established : 1986 Forest type : Mixed Sal, dry deciduous, moist
deciduous and some evergreen patches. Flora : Few species are Orchids, Eucalyptus sp. Fauna : Few species are Leopard, Four-horned
Antelope, Hyena, Wolf, Sambar, Chital, Mouse-deer, Gaur, Elephant, Giant squirrel, Peafowl, Hill Myna, Grey Hornbill and reptiles like Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizard.
Uniqueness : Natural waterfalls that are called as Barehipani and Joranda, Tiger tracking, Bird Watching, jeep jungle Safaris to view nature’s beauty
Grey Hornbill
BADRAMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Sambalpur district between latitude 21020' to 21040' N and longitude 84010' to 840 30' E.
Area : 304.03 sq. km. Established : 1987
Forest type : Dry deciduous mixed forest Flora : Few species are Shorea robusta, Pterocarpus
marsupium, Bambusa sp., Tectona grandis. Fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Bear, Spotted
Deer, Elephant. Uniqueness : The watch towers installed within the
sanctuary provide a good view of the animals flocking the nearby watering points at night
Spotted Deer
SUNABEDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location :
In Nuapada district; between latitude 20006’0” to 20044’0” N and longitude 82020’0” to 82034’48” E.
Area : 591.75 sq. km. Established : 1988.
Forest type : Dry mixed deciduous forest Flora : Few species are Tectona grandis, Shorea
robusta, and other forest species Fauna
: Few species are Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Barking deer, Chital, Bison, Sambar, Hill Myna, Peafowl, Partridge.
Uniqueness :
This sanctuary has eleven beautiful waterfalls and seasonal streams and is considered as an ideal habitat for Swamp deer (locally extinct).
Swamp Deer
KARLAPAT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Location : In Kalahandi district; between latitudes 19030' to 19050' (North) and longitude, 820
45' to 83015' (East).
Area : 147.66 sq.km. Established : 1992 Forest type : Dry deciduous forests Flora : Few species are Habenaria barbata,
Shorea robusta, Orchids. Fauna : Few species are Sambar, Gaur, Nilgai,
Mouse Deer, Barking Deer Uniqueness : The undulated topography of the
sanctuary, with hills, valley, perennial streams and deep water pools give it an unique charm. Another popular attraction in the sanctuary is the Khanduala Fall located on a hill top and is believed to be the home of Goddess Khandua.
Mouse Deer
SATKOSIA TIGER RESERVE Location : In Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh
districts; between latitude 20025' to 200 45' N and longitude 85035' to 8605' E.
Area : 964 Sq. Kms. Established : 2007. Forest type : Moist, dry & mixed deciduous forest, and
moist peninsular sal forests Flora : Few species are Shorea robusta, Syzygium
cumini, Pterocarpus marsupium, Dalbergia latifolia, Terminalia arjuna.
Fauna : Few species are Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgai, Choushingha, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog.
Uniqueness : River Mahanadi, the Gharial Research and Conservation Unit at Tikarapada, hill lopes, various tracking routes and boating.
Tiger
Sources
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