Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary

About Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• It lies between the Nallamalai and Yerramalai hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats.
• It was declared a sanctuary in 1988 to protect the dwindling populations of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
• Uniqueness: It is the only GIB Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.
• It owes its genesis to the discovery of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
• Flora: About 32 species of grassed like Aristida funiculata, Chrysopogon fulvus, Heteropogon contortus, like Cassia fistula (Golden shower tree), Butea monosperma (Flame of the forest), Acacia spp, Ziziphus mauritiana, etc.
• Fauna:
  • The grassland Sanctuary is rich in invertebrate fauna particularly the insects that form a major part of the diet of most of the birds.
  • Land monitor lizards, Geckos, Skinks, Saw-scaled viper; etc. So far about 6 species of amphibians have been recorded here.
  • There are about 124 bird species like the Lesser florican, Demoiselle crane, Black stork, White stork, Harriers, etc;
  • These plains are also a home to endangered mammals like the Golden jackal, Indian wolf, Black buck, Chinkara; etc.

Q1) What is the Great Indian Bustard?

It is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent. It is among the heaviest of the flying birds. The species has a current viable population of 100- 150 individuals in India and mainly survives in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan that holds about 100 individuals

Source: Is the Great Indian Bustard on the verge of local extinction?