Introduction
Drifting from the sheer sandy bottom of River penna and rising in to the large sand dunes as a distinct ecosystem in the heart of Prodattur town, is this National park. Rameswaram or Rajiv Gandhi National Park is situated in the central plains of extensions hill ranges of Veligondas, Palakondas, Lankamallais and Yerramalais in the Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh.
Uniqueness
A beautiful sand dune ecosystem.
Indicator Species
Burrowing snakes (Russell, earth boa, John and boa).
Legal Status
Pending.
Forest Type
Tropical dry deciduous forest. Most of the Sanctuary is sandy. We can also find plains with Sissoo (Sesham) trees and Eucalyptus forests.
Flora
The park is bequeathed with over 25 plant species like Dalbergia sissoo, Grewia villosa, Gymnema sylvestre, etc.
Fauna
Invertebrates like Scorpions, Spiders, variety of insects like Butterflies, Grasshoppers, Crickets, etc. abound this forest. Amphibian fauna is represented with species like Bull frog, Common Indian toad, etc. Reptilian fauna includes like Russell's earth boa, Russell's viper, Common skink, etc. Over 50 species of birds like Peacocks, Little egrets, Parakeets; etc are found in this forest. Mammals like Spotted deer, Common mongoose, Black napped hare reside in this sand dune ecosystem.