The State of Andhra Pradesh is located in East Central Peninsular India. It represents the extensive Deccan Bio-Geographic Zone. It has three important geographical zones i.e., the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. It has three important rivers Godavari, Krishna and Pennar which drain into the Bay of Bengal.
Andhra Pradesh has 1,64.325.89 Sq.km. of geographical area of the Notified Forest area is 36,914.69 sq.km. which is 22.46% of its geographical area. Forest under Protected Area Network is 8139.89 sq.km. which is 22.05%. There are 1 Tiger Reserve, 1 Elephant Reserve (Koundinya Sanctuary and Rayala Elephant Reserve), 1 Biosphere Reserve (Seshachalam), 3 National Parks and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the State.
The State is endowed with varied Eco-systems, habitats, and rich heritage of Biodiversity and is a store house of unique flora and fauna. It harbours some of the rare and endangered flora like Pterocarpus santalinus (Red Sanders), Cycas beddomi, Shorea tambaggia, Syzizium alternifolium, Terminalia pallida etc. It has fauna like Tiger, Gaur (Indian Bison), Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Jerdon’s Courser, Golden Gecko, other avifauna like Flamingo, Pelican etc. It has the Second largest Mangrove eco-system in the country (Godavari and Krishna Estuaries.)