Explore the Rich Diversity of PapiKonda National Park in the Eastern Ghats!

Papikonda National Park

Papikonda National Park is a large national park situated in the Papi Hills of the Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The park spans over an area of 1,012.86 km2 (391.07 sq mi) and is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. It is home to some endangered species of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

PapiKonda National Park Map

PapiKonda National Park Map

Information	Details
Name of National Park	Papikonda National Park
Location	Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh, India
Area	1,012.86 km2 (391.07 sq mi)
Importance	Important Bird and Biodiversity Area

The park is located in the Godavari River Basin. The Papikonda mountain range cuts through the park’s forests, and it is surrounded by the cities of Khammam, Suryapet, and Warangal.

Mythological Significance

The Papikonda National Park has mythological significance as it was once the kingdom of the apes during the holy Ramayana era. The area was known as Kishkinda, and its inhabitants helped Lord Rama bring back Sita from Lanka. In 2008, the park was designated as a National Park to preserve its ecological and mythological significance.

National Parks in Andhra Pradesh

As of 2023, Andhra Pradesh is home to three national parks, Papikonda National Park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park, and Sri Venkateswara National Park. Each park is unique in its own way, offering a glimpse of the natural beauty and biodiversity of the state.

Read here: National Park In Andhra Pradesh

History of Papikonda National Park

Papikonda National Park has a rich history of protection, starting as a reserved forest in 1882 and becoming a wildlife sanctuary in 1978. It was upgraded to a national park in 2008. The park lies on the left and right banks of the river Godavari, cutting through the Papikonda hill range of Eastern Ghats. The majority of the area of the park is covered with moist deciduous forest and includes animal species such as tigers, mouse deer, and gaur.

Information	Details
Protection history	Reserved forest in 1882, Wildlife sanctuary in 1978, National park in 2008
Location	Left and right banks of the river Godavari, cutting through the Papikonda hill range of Eastern Ghats
Forest area	Mostly covered with moist deciduous forest

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary

The Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978, covering an area of approximately 591 km2. In 2008, the sanctuary was designated as a National Park. It is situated on the left and right banks of the Godavari River and is surrounded by the Papikonda hill range of the Eastern Ghats. The park is famous for preserving water buffalos as well.

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary

Aspect	Details
Establishment	1978
Area	Approximately 591 km2
Designation	National Park in 2008
Location	Left and right banks of the Godavari River
Surroundings	Papikonda hill range of the Eastern Ghats
Preservation	Water buffalos

Geography of Papikonda National Park

The park is spread across the Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh and has an altitude range of 20 to 850 m (66 to 2,789 ft). The park receives an annual rainfall of 1168 mm and is surrounded by the Godavari River, which enhances its natural beauty.

Geography

Information	Details
Location	Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh
Altitude range	20 to 850 m (66 to 2,789 ft)
Annual rainfall	1168 mm
Surroundings	Godavari River

Flora in Papikonda National Park

The vegetation in Papikonda national park includes species of moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests. The park’s floral diversity is dominated by Eastern Ghats vegetation, and it is home to a wide range of plants and shrubs such as Latifolia, Albizzia Amara, Albizzia Lebbeck, Tectona Grandis, Terminalias, Tomentosa, Lagerstroemia Lanceolata, Bambusa Arundinacea, Dendrocalamus Strictus, Albizzia Amara, Pterocarpus, and others.

Information	Details
Vegetation	Species of moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests
Tree species	Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia elliptica, Terminalia arjuna, Adina cordifolia, Sterculia urens, Mangifera indica, and Anogeissus latifolia

Fauna in Papikonda National Park

The national park is home to a diverse range of animal species. Some of the mammals sighted or recorded by camera traps include Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Rusty-spotted cats, and Sloth bears. Herbivores such as spotted deer, Sambar deer, and Indian muntjac can also be found in the park. The national park has a population of both Rhesus macaques and Bonnet macaques, while gray langurs are also seen inside the park. The park is also a sanctuary for a variety of birds, including Black-bellied tern, Pale-capped pigeon, and Oriental darter.

Information	Details
Animal species	Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Rusty-spotted cats, Sloth bears, spotted deer, Sambar deer, Indian muntjac, Rhesus macaques, Bonnet macaques, and gray langurs
Bird species	Black-bellied tern, Pale-capped pigeon, and Oriental darter

Reptiles

Indian golden gecko, which is endemic to the Eastern Ghats, was reported from this national park. King cobras were sighted in and around the protected area.

Tourist Attraction

Aspect	Details
Attraction	Natural beauty
Wildlife	Resident and migratory birds, tiger, sloth bear, gaur, and more
Birdwatching	A birdwatcher’s paradise
River	Godavari River
Popularity	One of the most popular tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh

Threats to Papikonda National Park

The Polavaram irrigation project, once completed, will submerge parts of the national park. Poaching, forest fires, and clearing of forests for podu cultivation are some of the threats faced by the park.

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