Location: in the Godavari
Delta, 70 km southeast of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
Area: 23,570 ha
Altitude: Sea level
Description of site: A complex of mangrove swamps
and coastal lagoons in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, in the northeastern
part of the Godavari Delta. Most of the Sanctuary consists of mangrove swamps,
but there are several open shallow lagoons behind the shoreline in the south
and central sections of the delta. The northernmost part of the delta is the
northern tip of Godavari Point, a peninsula 20 km in length which encloses
Kakinada Bay (11,000 ha). Thesouthernmostof the delta's principal channels
links up with the Krishna Delta to the south. The total area of mangroves
in the two deltas combined may now be as little as 10,000 ha. During October
and November, freshwater floods large areas of the delta; the seasonal variation
in salinity is thus very high, ranging from 20-30 ppt during the hot, dry
season (March-May), to less than 10 ppt during the rainy season
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate
Principal vegetation: The mangrove forests of the
Godavari and Krishna Deltas are unique in India because of their stands of
Sonneratia apelata and assemblage of Avicennia species. Mangroves include
species of Rhizophora, Aegiceras, and Excoecaria. The grass Myriostachia wightiana
is very common in both deltas, but practically unknown elsewhere. Two principal
halophytic communities occur: those growing on the river banks and those growing
on the ancient alluvial soils in the interior of the delta
Conservation measures taken: Protected within the Coringa
Wildlife Sanctuary (23,570 ha), established in July 1978. The Sanctuary was
created partly for the re-introduction of the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus
porosus), using aidmals reared at Hyderabad from eggs from the Andaman Islands.
Three crocodiles, approximately 1.2 m in length were released in 1978. The
Sanctuary is managed by the Divisional Forest Officer, Kakinada. A management
plan which has been drafted is now being implemented
Land use: Fishing; subsistence agriculture on the landward
edge of the Sanctuary
Disturbances and threats: The principal disturbance in the
mangrove forest is from small-scale fishing operations. Expansion of the human
population in the agricultural hinterland and encroachment on the landward
edge of the Sanctuary are continuing to cause further problems for the management
of the Sanctuary
Economic and social values: No information
Fauna: An important area for a variety of resident
and migratory waterfowl. Species known to occur include Pelecanus philippensis,
presumably as a non-breeding visitor, various species of heron, egret, stork,
ibis, and Phoenicopterus ruber, the latter in large numbers. Mammals include
Lutra sp., Felis viverrina, and Canis aureus. Attempts are currently being
made to re-establish the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the area.
Marine turtles occur within the Sanctuary, but details are lacking
Special floral values: The grass Myriostachia wightiana is
virtually unknown outside the Krishna and Godavari Deltas
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