Lok Sabha Question No. 4017 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4017

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh

## 4017.   SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific conservation, habitat restoration and protection measures undertaken by the Government to ensure the survival of several endangered and rare species such as the Golden  Gecko  (Calodactylodes  Aureus),  Slender  Loris,  Indian  Giant  Squirrel,  Mouse Deer (Mushika Jinka) and Yellow-throated Bulbul in Sesha chalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) whether any scientific studies, biodiversity monitoring programmes or eco-development initiatives have been taken up in the reserve to support species recovery; and
- (c) whether the Government  has  allocated or proposes to allocate funds under the Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund  Management  and  Planning  Authority  (CAMPA) Scheme or any other Schemes to strengthen patrolling, prevent habitat encroachment and promote community participation in wildlife conservation, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  provides financial assistance  to  the  States/UTs  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  'Development  of Wildlife  Habitats'  for  conservation  and  management  of  protected  areas,  conservation  of wildlife  outside  protected  areas,  and  recovery  of  critically  endangered  species  and  their habitats  as  per  the  Annual  Plan  of  Operations  received  from  States/UTs.  The  activities supported  under  the  scheme  includes  management  planning,  strengthening  research  and awareness, anti-poaching measures, strengthening of protection infrastructure, habitat improvement, eco-development, management  of human-wildlife conflict and capacity building.

All the conservation initiatives, habitat restoration and protection measures have been undertaken  in  Seshachalam  Biosphere  Reserve  by  the  State  Government.  In  addition, conservation measures for the entire ecosystems of the Biosphere Reserve have been carried out in an integrated manner. Further, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has conducted population estimation of Slender Loris in Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a part of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve.

(b) As  per  the  information  received  from  the  State  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh, Zoological Survey of India is conducting research study on faunal diversity of Seshachalam

Biosphere  Reserve.  Besides,  Indian  Institute  of  Science  Education  and  Research  is  also conducting bird's survey, using bio-acoustic technology.

(c) The  Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund  (CAF)  Act,  2016  and  Rules,  2018  aims  to mitigate  the  loss  of  forest  cover  and  associated  ecosystem  services  resulting  from  the diversion  of  forest  land  for  non-forest  purposes  through  activities  such  as  compensatory afforestation, restoration of degraded forests, enhancement of wildlife habitats and biodiversity conservation. In order to strengthen patrolling, prevent habitat encroachment and promote community participation in wildlife conservation in the State of Andhra Pradesh, a total of ₹58.68 crore and ₹62.95 crore have been approved during the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively to the Andhra Pradesh State CAMPA Authority.

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