Location: 90 km SSE of Vijayawada
and 50 km southwest of Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Area: c.20,000 ha
Altitude: 0-10 m
Description of site: Extensive mangrove forests
with a network of narrow channels, in the delta of the Krishna river. The
Krishna divides into three major channels; much of the western portion of
the delta has been reclaimed for agriculture, and the remaining mangrove forests
are concentrated in the eastern portion. The forests are bordered on their
landward side by marshy land which is inundated by monsoon run-off in June-October,
and dries out completely in April-June. The rest of the delta consists of
agricultural land, saline flats, and barren, sandy soil. Some areas have been
invaded by mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate, with
an average annual rainfall of 1000 mm. The area is influenced by the northeast
monsoon and associated cyclonic storms
Principal vegetation: Mangrove forest dominated
by Avicennia albs, A. marina, A. officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, and Excoecaria
agllocha, with the grasses Porteresia coarctata, Myriostachya wightiana, and
Sarcolobus carinatus. Agricultural land and Prosopis juliflora in adjacent
areas
Fauna: A very important area for both resident and
migratory waterfowl, supporting large concentrations of many species, notably
herons (Mycteria leucocephala) and egrets (Phoenicopterus ruber). Approximately
500 P. ruber visit the area each year between June and December.
The littoral zone adjoining the mangroves harbours the rookeries of three species of marine turtle: Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricate, and Lepidochelys olivacea. These are thought to be the largest concentrations of marine turtles in India south of the Mahanadi river, Orissa
Special floral values: The mangrove association is of a type
now rare in India
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