Fri Dec 27 17:22:18 UTC 2024: ## Fishing Cat Population Booms in Andhra Pradesh’s Coringa Sanctuary
**CORINGA, Andhra Pradesh (December 27, 2024)** – The endangered fishing cat population in Andhra Pradesh’s Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is thriving, with a significant increase in numbers over the past five years. This positive trend is attributed to successful conservation efforts by local communities and a healthy mangrove ecosystem.
A recent census, part of India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project, is nearing completion. Preliminary findings indicate a substantial rise from the 115 fishing cats recorded in a 2018 survey. The project, funded by Vedanta Limited, aims to study the cats’ behavior, habitat, and feeding habits through the collaring of 10 individuals, expected to be completed by April 2025.
The sanctuary’s success is linked to the active involvement of 420 local residents organized into Environment Development Committees (EDCs). These committees monitor the sanctuary, operate community-based eco-tourism (CBET) initiatives, and generate revenue which is then reinvested in community welfare and infrastructure. The CBET program includes speed boat services and boardwalk tours through the mangroves, making the sanctuary a growing tourist destination.
The EDCs play a crucial role in preventing mangrove destruction, illegal logging, and illicit activities within the sanctuary. Their efforts have contributed to a flourishing ecosystem also home to the Indian smooth-coated otter. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is actively pursuing Ramsar Convention Site status for CWS, recognizing its ecological significance. The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Godavari estuary, is India’s second-largest mangrove and provides a vital habitat for these endangered felines.
First Piper 