National Parks in Andhra Pradesh - UPSC Current Affairs

Andhra Pradesh is home to 3 designated national parks.

Contents

1. Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Rameswaram National Park)

Rajiv Gandhi National Park is located in Rameswaram of Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
It is also known as Rameswaram National Park.
On 19 November 2005, it was established as Rameshvaram National Park.
On 26 December 2005, the park name was changed to Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
Area: Park cover an area about 2.4 square kilometers.
River: The park lies on the north bank of the Penna River.
Flora: Indian rosewood or sissoo, Eucalyptus, velvet leaved grewia, miracle fruit or gurmar etc.
Fauna: Spotted Deer, Common Mongoose, Black Napped Hare, Little Egrets, Russell’s Earth Boa, Russell’s Viper etc.

Papikonda National Park is located in the Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.
In 1882, the area was declared a reserved forest.
In 1978, the Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was designated.
In 2008, Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to a national park.
Area: The park covers an area of approximately 1,012 square kilometers (391 square miles).
Hills: It lies in the Papi Hills of Eastern Ghats mountain range.
River: The Godavari River flows through the park.
Flora: Moist Deciduous Forests (teak, rosewood, terminalia, and bamboo), Dry Deciduous Forests (sal, mahua, tendu, axlewood, and bhirra), Bamboo Forests etc.
Fauna: Bengal Tigers, Indian leopards, Rusty-spotted Cats, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Asian Palm Civet, Black-bellied Tern, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Golden Gecko, Fresh Water Crocodile etc.

Sri Venkateswara National Park is located in the Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh, India.
It is situated in Seshachalam hills.
In 1985, Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
In 1989, the core area of the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary is declared as National Park.
In 2010, the government of India declared the Seshachalam Hills as one of the biosphere reserves of India.
Area: Park covers an area of approximately 353 square kilometers (136 square miles).
Hills: Prominent hills of the park:
- Tirumala Hills
- Seshachalam Hills
River: Rivers that flow through the region:
- Swarnamukhi River
- Musuthieru River
- Gunjana River
- Gundaleru River
Waterfalls: Here are the main waterfalls found in the park area:
- Gundalakona Waterfall
- Gunjana Waterfall
- Talakona Waterfall
- Nelakona Waterfall
Lake: Some of the notable lakes in the region:
- Kalyani Dam
- Papavinasanam Reservoir
Tribe: One prominent tribe found in the park is the Yanadi tribe.
- Yanadi Tribe
Flora: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests (teak, neem, Indian laurel, tendu), Dry Red Sanders-Bearing Forests, Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests (sandalwood, ironwood, Indian beech, and Indian laburnum) etc.
Fauna: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Mouse Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Dog, Indian Giant Squirrel, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Jerdon Courser, Gliding Lizard, Indian Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon etc.