More than 200 bird species have been reported in the diversified terrain of Andhra Pradesh’s 1012-square-kilometer Papikonda National Park (PNP) in the Godavari region of the Eastern Ghats.

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department conducted the three-day survey, which ended on March 18, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science, Education, and Research (IISER-Tirupati).

The survey was conducted over various geographies of the national park, including dense forest cover that serves as optimal tiger habitat, the Godavari riverine environment, and the state’s only grassland, Gudisa Grassland.

The Gudisa grassland, which is home to the PVTG Konda Reddy tribe, has come under grave threat since it was opened up for tourists in the PNP. The state’s only grassland rose to prominence after permission was granted to shoot a few films.

Rampachodavaram Divisional Forest Officer G.G. Narentheran stated, “The current survey is arguably the first bird survey conducted in the PNP.” The AP Forest Department’s Wildlife Management Division is considering creating a PNP bird atlas based on survey data.

At least 60 professionals, including ornithologists, birdwatchers, and wildlife experts, have recorded “calls of different birds” that are being analyzed for species identification in the PNP.

In recent years, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has suggested funding a Long Term Ecological Observatory (LTEO) to monitor the PNP’s terrain, climate, and environmental conditions. Later, IISER-Tirupati proposed establishing the LTEO, but it has yet to take effect.

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Mr. Rajasekhar went on to say: “Another exclusive survey — the Breeding Bird Survey — should be carried out to ascertain the impact of climate change on the bird species in the PNP.”