Forestry and Wildlife

The South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has a total forest cover of 63,814 sq.kms which is 23.20% of the total geographical area. This includes 23,048 sq.kms of dense forest and 19,859 sq. kms of open forest apart from 383 sq.kms of mangrove, as on 1997.

Forests in Andhra Pradesh are a treasure house of resources for local use or non-local industry. In partnership with the State Forestry department the local people of Andhra Pradesh inhabiting near the forests are forming Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) dedicated to forest conservation and restoration.. VSS is entitled to all of the non-timber forest products like grass, fuel-wood and fruit amongst themselves and receive all of the income from the harvest of timber and bamboo. Half of the share is saved for future development and maintenance of the forest.

The forests of interior Andhra Pradesh support plains vegetation, scrub jungle, thorn forest and dry deciduous forest. Otherwise the state has tropical moist deciduous forests. The region is a safe haven for a variety of species like tiger, wolves, sloth bear, wild dog, chousingha, gaur, hyena, sambar, pangolin, porcupine, Indian python, marsh crocodile, chinkara and black buck. Over three hundred bird species have been identified in the region including the endangered variety the green avadavat and Pallas's fish-eagle.

The government of Andhra Pradesh keeps a close look on forestry and wildlife of the state to yield both in quantity and quality. Constant progresses are in process through social forestry, use of advanced technology, privatization, encouraging biodiversity, reducing fuel-wood consumption and necessary training. It also provides for development assistance to tribal groups, encourages NGO participation, security like preventing smuggling, reduced cattle grazing and encroachment. All these steps are taken to alleviate poverty and provide sustainable sources of income for those dependent on forest for livelihood.