More than 200 bird species sighted in Papikonda National Park

Discover over 200 bird species in the diverse landscape of Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, including endangered and vulnerable species.

GUDISA (ASR DISTRICT)

More than 200 bird species have been recorded in the myriad diverse landscape across the length and breadth of the 1012 square-kilometre Papikonda National Park (PNP) in the Godavari region of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. 

The three-day survey which concluded on March 18 was carried out under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Forest department in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER-Tirupati).

The survey was carried out across different geographies of the national park — dense forest cover serving as prime habitat of tigers, the Godavari riverine ecosystem and the State’s only grassland — Gudisa Grassland. 

IISER-Tirupati Citizen Science Coordinator and PNP Bird Survey Coordinator Rajasekhar Bandi told The Hindu: “We have sighted more than 200 bird species during the survey. Endangered Black-belied Tern (Sterna acuticauda) recorded on the banks of Godavari is one of the major sightings.”

“Buff-chested babbler or Indian Rufous (cyanoderma ambigum) and Abbott’s babbler (Malacocincla abbotti) have also been sighted. These two species, which are normally sighted in the North-East are believed to be stranded in the PNP landscape. In addition, the vulnerable Pale-capped Pigeon and near threatened Malabar Pied Hornbill have also been spotted. The Shaheen falcon (Peregrine) is also suspected to be breeding in the Gudisa grassland, a home for Green Munia (Amandava formosa),”  he added.

Inhabited by the PVTG Konda Reddy tribe, the Gudisa grassland has been under severe threat after it was thrown open for tourism in the PNP. The State’s only grassland shot to fame after permission was granted to shoot a few movies.