The East Godavari River Estuarine Ecosystem (EGREE) encompassing the Godavari mangroves (321 km2) is the second largest area of mangroves along the east coast of India (after Sundarbans).
The area is rich in floral and faunal diversity, and generates significant ecological and economic benefits such as shoreline protection, sustaining livelihoods and carbon sink services.
There are 35 species of mangroves, of which 16 are true mangroves and the rest are associates of mangrove species. This includes one nearly threatened (IUCN) species (Ceriops decandra) and three rare species.
There are important nesting sites for migratory turtle species, notably the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, the critically endangered Leatherback turtle and Green turtle.
The area serves as spawning grounds and as a sanctuary for the growth and development of numerous fin and shell fish.
It is an Important Bird Area with a recorded population of 119 bird species, of which 50 are migratory.
In recognition of its national and global biodiversity significance, a part of the EGREE area is gazetted as Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWLS).
In addition to the biodiversity significance of the area, it is also of enormous economic significance.
The last few decades have witnessed rapid economic changes and emergence of large scale production activities in EGREE.
The Government of India and UNDP-GEF, in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation into the production sectors of EGREE through: (1) Cross-sectoral planning in the EGREE, (2) Enhanced capacity of sector institutions for implementing biodiversity-friendly sector plans, (3) Improved community livelihoods and sustainable natural resource use.
By project end, it is anticipated that production activities in at least 80,000 ha of the EGREE introduce mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation objectives, in turn improving the conservation prospects of several globally significant species, apart from contributing to the socio-economic wellbeing of the region.
Under this project, EGREE Foundation was established under Andhra Pradesh Society Registration Act 2001, which is a cross-sectoral platform to facilitate implementation of biodiversity conservation initiatives by involving the production sectors operating in the EGREE; Research gap analysis has been conducted for the EGREE Region and 58 research gaps identified. Action is being initiated to prioritise the research activities to be conducted under the project and with other research institutes.
A Landscape based Biodiversity Management Plan has also been prepared for Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, taking into consideration the challenges from the production sectors especially in the peripheries of the sanctuary.
This landscape based management plan is the first of its kind in India.
