East Godavari |
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The East Godavari District is located in the North Coastal part of the state of
Andhra Pradesh. The District boundaries are Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, Khammam
Districts and Bay of Bengal.
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Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
The Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna.
The mangrove plants have been categorized into thirty-five species that belong to a group of 24 families.
The mangrove plants have adapted themselves to the environment in which it grows.
The sanctuary also has a heavy growth of shrubs and herbs.
Numerous species of salt tolerant plant species constitutes its flora, which include tropical and subtropical
floral species such as Rhizophora, Avincinia, Sonneratia Aegiceros, and others. They normally occur between high
waterlevel and near about mean sea level along the sheltered shores, estuaries, tidal creeks, back-waters, lagoons,
marshes and mud-flats.
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Wherever conditions favour, the Mangroves may form extensive and productive forests in the
sheltered coastal lines. The mangroves contain a highly specialised community of plants associated with
animal species which are not capable of surviving in any other situations. Mangroves occur in Andhra Pradesh
in estuaries of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
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Importance of Mangroves to Mankind
- Mangroves forest act as a barrier against the coastal storms, high velocity winds, and the high tidal waves thus protecting the villages and the agricultural land.
- Mangroves are a highly productive ecosystem, and supply nutrients to the marine living resources and thus increasing the Fish, Prawn, Crab etc., production.
- Mangroves provide shelter to the wildlife particularly as nesting ground for migratory birds.
- They protect the coast-line from erosion and also it reclaims land from the sea.
- They build up and extend coastal soil by accumulation and stabilisation of sediments.
- They provide highly valued products like timber for boat building, Bark for tanning, Seedlings for food etc.
The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitats to numerous endangered and protected species of animals and plants. The dynamic mangroves ecosystem of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary supports biodiversities such as Fishing Cats, Otters, Jackals, Estuarine Crocodiles, Sea Turtles, Sea Gulls, Pelicans, Storks, Herons, Snipes, Flamingos, to name only a few. However, the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its Salt Water Crocodiles. Numerous species of salt tolerant plant species constitutes its flora, which include tropical and subtropical floral species such as Rhizophora, Avincinia, Sonneratia Aegiceros, and others. Over 120 species of birds are found in this wildlife sanctuary.
The best time to visit Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary is between the months of October and May. Pedal boats and 20-seater boats are available here for those who wish to go boating. The boating provides an opportunity to have a very close glimpse of the mangrove for about 40 minutes. The entry fee for eco-tourism is Rs. 10 per head for elders and Rs. 5 per child. Various boating packages are available that range from Rs. 400 to Rs. 2,500 per boat of a capacity of 20 persons.
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Papikonda Wild Life Sanctuary
Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near Kakinada. The sanctuary spreads over 591 Sq Kms and across three districts - Khammam, East Godavari and West Godavari. This wild life sanctuary is a home to many species of flora and fauna and cuts through the Papikonda range of hills in Eastern Ghats.
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The natural vegetation here makes it suitable for animals like Tigers, Gaurs, Panthers, four-horned Antelopes, Hyenas, Jackals, sloth bear and Spotted Deer which are all found here. Many migratory birds flock here and make it their shelter for some time generally from May to October. There are crocodiles found in the waters of Godavari, which runs along the sanctuary.
Different species of vegetation found here includes Tectona Grandis, Tomentosa, Lagerstroemia, Lanceolata, Dendrocalamus and many other species. The greenery of the place and the serene atmosphere the sanctuary offers often drags many visitors to this place. It is one of the best places to be amidst the nature.
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