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Comprehensive list of Andhra pradesh National Parks [2023] MAP
This article will discuss the Andhra Pradesh National park in detail, which are three in number as of 2023, Papikonda National Park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park and Sri Venkateswara National Park. The table below shows the area of each national park, and the article also contains an Andhra Pradesh National Park Map made for your ease, with lots of effort and time.
Andhra pradesh national park
| S.No | Name of National Park | Area Sq. Km. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PapiKonda National Park | 1012.86 |
| 2 | Sri Venkateswara National Park | 353.62 |
| 3 | Rajiv Gandhi National Park | 2.3 |
| Sorce: | ENVIS Government of India. |
Andhra Pradesh National Park MAP
Andhra Pradesh is located along the Eastern coast of India along the Eastern Ghat Ranges, so let us look at the Eastern Ghat first, then we will study about Andhra Pradesh National Park.
Andhra Pradesh National Park MAP
Eastern Ghats
- The Eastern Ghats hill ranges (77.36-85.33 E & 11.50-21.00 N) stretch from the Mahanadi River valley in Odisha north to the Sirumalai Hills in Tamil Nadu the south.
- The hills extend roughly parallel to India’s east coast, stretching over 1,600km, and are spread over an area above 75,000 Sq. km.
- Their division characterizes the Eastern Ghats into several distinct hill regions by several large rivers such as the Godavari (1,465km), Krishna (1,400km) and Cauvery (800km) flowing east into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Eastern Ghats landscape is a treasure trove of biodiversity where several species endemic to the landscape, such as the
- Golden Gecko,
- the Jeypore Ground Gecko,
- the Slender Loris
- the Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser.
- The northern section of the Eastern Ghats, in particular, contains extensive stretches of moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests harbouring high biodiversity and several rare species.
- However, there is no published information on the mammal diversity of the northern Eastern Ghats, and there are currently no updated lists of mammals for the landscape.
As we saw the Andhra Pradesh National Park are total three in number, Now let us look at Andhra Pradesh National Park one by one
Papikonda National Park
Papikonda National Park Overview
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1978 (as Wildlife Sanctuary) |
| 2008 (as National Park) | |
| Location | East and West Godavari Districts, Northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh |
| Area | 1,012.86 square kilometres |
| Elevation | 20-850 m |
| Annual Rainfall | 1168m |
| Hottest Months | April and May |
| Temperature | Up to 47° C |
- Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978. It was upgraded and notified as a National Park in 2008.
- Papikonda National Park is located in the Papi Hills in East Godavari and West Godavari districts of the northern Eastern Ghats of the present Andhra Pradesh state,
- Papikonda National Park covers an area of l,012.86 square kilometres.
- The Papikonda National Park boundaries lie between l8° 49′ 20″ N to 19° 18′ 14″ N, 79° 54′ 13″ E to 83° 23′ 35″ E.
- The Godavari River bisects Papikonda National Park into northern and southern halves with an elevation gradient from 20-850 m at Bison Hill.
- The river acts as a crucial biogeographic divider.
- Its altitude ranges from 20 to 85m (66 to 2,789 feet) and receives an annual rainfall of 1168m.
- The hottest months are April and May. Temperature soaring as high as 47° C during these months.
Flora and Fauna of Papikonda National Park
| Category | Species |
|---|---|
| Flora | Southern tropical mixed moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and dry deciduous forest patches |
| 31 red-listed species of plants | |
| Unique dwarf breed of goat “kanchu mekha” | |
| Fauna | Carnivores: Tiger, Leopard, Hyena |
| Vulnerable: Indian gaur, sambar, barking deer, chowsinga, spotted deer | |
| 92 bird species recorded including common peacock, red jungle fowl, etc. | |
| Reptiles: Indian python, king cobra, Indian cobra, monitor lizard, chameleon, freshwater crocodile, Indian Golden gecko |
Flora
- The vegetation of Papikonda National Park consists predominantly of
- southern tropical mixed moist deciduous, along with some semi-evergreen and dry deciduous forest patches.
- The park has floral species with a high degree of ecological significance.
- Around 31 species of plants that are being red-listed and recorded on the ENVIS website are present in the park.
- The park is also known for agro-biodiversity with 96 species which are wild relatives of crops.
- A unique dwarf breed of Goat known locally as the “kanchu mekha” is found in this region.
Fauna
- Papikonda National Park is a crucial biodiversity place and home to various endangered species
- The park has carnivore species like the
- Tiger, Leopard, Hyena and vulnerable the Indian gaur, sambar, barking deer, chowsinga, spotted deer
- The Papikonda National Park includes 92 bird species recorded which includes
- the common peacock, Red jungle fowl, etc.,
- And reptiles like
- Indian python, king cobra, Indian cobra, monitor lizard, chameleon, freshwater crocodile, Indian Golden gecko etc.
The second in the List of Andhra Pradesh National Park is
Sri Venkateswara National Park
rea and Date of Declaration of Sri Venkateswara National Park
| Type | Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary | Sri Venkateswara National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 525.97 sq km | 353.62 sq km |
| Date of Declaration | 02-09-1985 | 16-10-1989 |
Geographical Features of Sri Venkateswara National Park
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cuddapah and Chittoor districts, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Mountain Range | Seshachalam and Tirumala hills |
| First Andhra Pradesh National Park | Yes |
| Number of Ranges | 3 (Balapalle, Chamala, and Tirupathi Ranges) |
| Rivers that course through the region | Musuthieru, Gunjana, and Gundaleru |
| Waterfalls in or near the National Park | Gundalakona, Gunajana, Talakona, and Nelakona (Chamala Range) |
| Pilgrim Centre | Desittapalli |
- Sri Venkateswara National Park nestles in sylvan Seshachalam and Tirumala hills in Cuddapah and Chittoor districts between 79°11′- 79°27′ E longitudes and 13°40′-13°55′ N latitudes,
- The total area of Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary is 525.97 sq kms, and it is declared as Sanctuary on 02-09-1985.
- Out of this, an area of 353.62 sq kms is declared as Sri Venkateswara National Park on 16-10-1989.
- The entire core area of the Sanctuary is declared as National Park, duly enhancing the conservation status of the populations.
- Named after Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of Tirumala is the beautiful Sri Venkateswara, National Park.
- The area was notified as National Park in 1989, it is the first Andhra Pradesh National Park, and it has some of the few strips of unbroken hills of the usually interrupted Eastern Ghats.
- The Eastern Ghats are one of the floristically rich regions of the country, contributing to about 13 % of the Indian flora.
- The Eastern Ghats are ‘Tors’ of geological antiquity, with isolated mountain ranges lying between Mahanadhi River in Orissa to Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, a major portion of Andhra Pradesh.
- The Sri Venkateswara National Park has been divided into three ranges by Andhra Pradesh Forest Department namely
- (i) Balapalle Range,
- (ii) Chamala Range
- (iii) Tirupathi Range.
- Three rivers course through this region, namely,
- Musuthieru,
- Gunjana
- Gundaleru.
- Desittapalli is also a pilgrim centre where devotees throng during the festival of Shivaratri. Gundalakona, Gunajana, and Talakona and Nelakona (Chamala Range) are the waterfalls in and near the National Park.
- Just outside the Sri Venkateswara National Park is Kalyani Dam to store the water from the Kalyani River for the water needs of the Tirumala and Tirupathi towns.
Geology
Geology and Soil of Sri Venkateswara National Park
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Geological Formation | Nagari Quartzite formation in Tirumala hills, Archaean, and granite rock formation (Cuddapah system) in Seshachalam hills |
| Importance of Cuddapah system | Oldest of the older Paleozoic system of rocks |
| Soil Type | Reddish-brown loams |
| Average Rainfall | 1190 mm |
| Temperature Range | 30°C to 41°C |
Geologically the National Park consists of Nagari Quartzite formation in Tirumala hills and Archaean and granite rock formation (Cuddapah system) in Seshachalam hills. The Cuddapah system forms the oldest of the older Paleozoic system of rocks is of huge geological importance. The soils are reddish-brown loams with an average rainfall of 1190 mm and temperature between 30°C to 41°C.
Flora
Flora and Fauna of Sri Venkateswara National Park
| Flora | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of Forests | Dry deciduous mixed forest, moist deciduous forests, Dry Red sanders-bearing forests, Southern dry mixed deciduous forests |
| Endemic Plant Species | Cycas beddomei, Red Sanders, Sandalwood, Shoreatalura, Shoreathumhurggaia, Terminaliapallida, Syzygiumaltemifolium, Psilotumnudam |
| Endangered Animals | Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Golden Gecko, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Jerdon Courser, Tree-shrub Flying Squirrel |
| Other Animals | Tiger, Leopard, Indian Wolf, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Pangolin, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Four-horned Antelope, Chital, and Sambar |
| Number of Bird Species | Over 15 |
- Dry deciduous mixed forest with patches of moist deciduous forests in the Sri Venkateswara National Park valleys,
- There are also Dry Red sanders bearing forests and Southern dry mixed deciduous forests in the Park.
- Sri Venkateswara National Park supports rare and endangered animals and plants, with few endemic to this area.
- These serene forests are brimming with a rich faunal diversity like Cycas beddomei.
- These living fossils are endemic to this region- Shorea robusta, Santalum album, Red sanders, Sterculia urens, East Indian cork screw tree, Ficus religiosa.
- Some rare and endemic plant species like Red Sanders, Sandalwood, Shoreatalura, Shoreathumhurggaia, Terminaliapallida, Syzygiumaltemifolium, Psilotumnudam also occur in this area.
Fauna
- Slender Loris, Indian Gaint Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Golden Gecko, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Jerdon Courser, Tree-shrub Flying Squirrel.
- The Golden Gecko was rediscovered after 100 years.
- Tiger, Leopard, Indian Wolf, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Pangolin, Wild Boar, Chinkara, four-horned
- Antelope, Chital and Sambar are also reported.
- More than 150 species of birds have also been sighted in the National Park.
- The last Cheetah in India was presumably seen in Bhakarapet Reserve Forests nearby the National Park in 1947.
- So to summarise Fauna, these are found here.
- Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Cheetal, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Chowsingha, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Civet Cat, Jungle Cat, rare and endangered Golden Gecko, Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Tree Shrew and Flying Lizard.
The Third in the List of Andhra Pradesh National Park is
Rajiv Gandhi National Park ( Rameswaram National Park )
First of All, there are two Rajiv Gandhi National Park in India. One is in Karnataka, which is officially known as Nagarhole National Park. The second one is in Andhra Pradesh, which we will se in detail now.
Rajiv Gandhi National Park
- Rajiv Gandhi National Park is situated in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
- It is a very small National Park having just 2.3 sq. Km. of the area under it.
- It lies in the heart of Prodattur town. Rajiv Gandhi National Park ( also known as Rameswaram National Park ) is located in the central plains of extensions hill ranges of Veligondas, Palakondas, Lankamallais, and Yerramalais Kadapa district of AP.
Flora
- Tropical dry deciduous forest.
- Most of the Sanctuary is sandy.
- Plains with Sissoo (Sesham) trees and Eucalyptus forests are also found in the Park.
- The Park is bestowed with over 25 plant species like Dalbergia sissoo, Grewia villosa, Gymnema Sylvestre.
Fauna
- Invertebrates- Scorpions, Spiders, Butterflies, Grasshoppers, Crickets.
- Amphibian fauna- Bullfrog, Common Indian toad.
- Reptilian fauna includes- Russell’s earth boa, Russell’s viper, Common skink.
- Over 50 species of birds-Peacocks, Little egrets, Parakeets.
- Mammals found in Rajiv Gandhi National Park are like Spotted deer, Common mongoose, Black napped hare.
This Concludes the Andhra Pradesh National Park article. If you want to learn more about Andhra Pradesh National Park, refer to the articles on Andhra Pradesh National Park by Andhra Pradesh Government forest department here website
