Mangrove Forest Restoration in Andhra Pradesh, India - Global ...

Mangrove Forest Restoration in Andhra Pradesh, IndiaThis publication reflects the process and results of restorationactivities carried out over seven years by the project Coastal Wetlands:Mangrove Conservation and Management, implemented inGodavari and Krishna wetlands by MSSRF with its field centre atKakinada. Hence it will be necessary to make modifications as perthe site conditions, mangrove ecosystem, tidal amplitude andtopography of the area chosen for restoration. This publication ismeant for foresters, field technicians, researchers and othersinterested in restoration of degraded mangroves.2. Mangrove forests in Andhra PradeshThe mangrove forests in Andhra Pradesh are located in theestuaries of the Godavari and the Krishna rivers. The Godavarimangroves are located in Godavari estuary of East Godavari districtand the Krishna mangroves in Krishna estuary of Krishna and Gunturdistricts. Apart from these estuaries, mangroves are also found insmall patches along the coast of Visakhapatnam, West Godavari,Guntur and Prakasam districts. The total area under Godavari andKrishna mangrove wetlands are 58,263 ha of which 33,263.32 haare under Godavari and 24,999.47 ha are in Krishna. However, thedense mangroves in Godavari and Krishna are only 17,000 ha and7,347 ha respectively. The rest are distributed between mudflats, waterbodies, sand bodies and casuarina plantations. The Coringa WildlifeSanctuary has three Reserve Forests, namely Corangi RF, CorangiExtn. RF and Bhairavapalem RF. Most of the mangroves in theSanctuary are not directly connected with the Bay of Bengal. Themangroves of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary receives tidal flushingthrough Matlapalem canal, Corangi river and Gaderu river. TheGaderu and Corangi rivers are the distributaries of the River Godavari.The other six Reserve Forests namely Rathikalava RF, MasanitippaRF, Matlatippa RF, Balusutippa RF, Kothapalem RF and KandikuppaRF are situated on the southern side of Nilarevu River and fall undernon-sanctuary area -Map 1.Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary is 19,481 ha, which includesSorlagondi RF, Nachugunta RF, Yelichetladibba RF, Lankivanidibba3