Papikonda
Wildlife Sanctuary
Area: 591-sq-kms/59,100 ha
Established
In: 1978 as a sanctuary..
Location: 50-km From Rajahmundry,
Spreading Over Three Districts Of Khammam, East And West Godavari, Andhra
Pradesh
Description:
Nestled
in fertile Godavari basin is one of the finest representative forests of the
eastern ghats known for the big cats like Tiger, Leopard and the large
herbivores is also a treasure trove of the birds.It lies on the left and
right banks of the river Godavari and cuts through the Papikonda hill range
of Eastern Ghats.
Papikonda is part of the precipitous Papikonda
range (150-1,350m). The river Godavari cuts through the preciptious
Papikonda range through a picturesque gorge.Varied and multifarious streams
emanating from covers of the hill make the Papikonda forest vegetation
luxuriant. All these constitute to make the area into a typical ecological,
facinal and geomorphological zone.
Visiting
Season: November To June
Access:
By Rail Nearest railway station is at Rajahmundry.
By
Road: Papikonda sanctuary is 50-km from Rajahmundry and is well
connected by road.
Accommodation
Forest rest house is available at Rajahmundry, Maredumilli, Kannapuram
Wildlife Flora: The
different species of flora found here are Tectona Grandis, Terminalias,
Tomentosa, Lagerstroemia Lanceolata, Latifolia, Albizzia Amara, Albizzia
Lebbeck. Dendrocalamus Strictus Bambusa Arundinacea.
Fauna
The habitat is suited for Tigers, Gaurs, Panther and other animals like
Spotted Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Sambar, Hyena, Jackals, Sloth Bear,
Muggers. The presence of Gharials was also reported. A variety of both
resident and migratory birds are found along river Godavari and its
tributaries.