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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

Kaundinya is a sanctuary to which elephants have returned after 200 years. In the last decade, elephants have been migrating more than ever before, looking for habitable forests. For example, from 1983 to 1986, a sizable number of elephants began their journey from the forests of Anekal-Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bannerghatta in Karnataka to find alternative homes in other States. Thirty-nine moved to the forests of Andhra Pradesh, a State which had no elephants before. This led to the Government setting up the Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to more than 50 elephants today.

Area: 358 sq km, Chittoor district

Best time to visit: Oct to April.

Flora: The area is covered with southern tropical thorn type of forests, consisting of flora Albiziaamara, Ficusreligiosa, Ficustomentosa, Ficus Bengalensis, Bamboo, and a species which is a regeneration of `santalum' album.

Fauna: elephant, cheetal, four horned antelope, sambhar, mouse deer, hare, porcupine, wild boar, jungle cat, jackal, sloth bear, panther, jungle fowl, starred tortoise, slender loris

Landscape: Rugged with high hills and deep valleys, with the Kaigal and Kaundinya streams flowing through the sanctuary

How to get there:

Road: Chittoor (50km)

Rail: Chittoor

Air: Bangalore (120km) or Tirupati

Where to stay: Forest guest house at Palamaneru, Madanapalli and Horseley Hills

Contact: Divisional Forest Officer, Chittoor (West). Ph: 08572-232458, Forest Range Officer, Palamaner, Ph: 08579-251027

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