The Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird, is one of the four species of bustards found in India. The bird, Which has a height of lm and weighs 12-15 kg,thrives in arid grasslands. One of its few protected habitats is the Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary,which hosts a population of 30 bustards.The bird is usually seen from July-December, with. August-September being the season for peak sightings.Other notable residents of the sanctuary are the black-rumped flameback, Brahminy starling, Asian paradise flycatcher, blue-faced malkoha and greater coucal.

Overview

Spanning an area of 937 hectares, the sanctuary has a vast expanse of glistening golden grasses melding into the horizon. At the entrance,there is an environmental Education Centre (EEC) and a forest resthouse.

The EEC has information on the birds inhabiting the sanctuary,recorded bird calls, a modest library and an auditorium. A motorable path leads into the sanctuary up to a point, after which you have to walk. Make sure to take permission from the Divisional Forest Officer,Atmakur (Tel : 08517-283337) before planning a visit to the sanctuary as walk-in visitors are not allowed.

Photos

How to Reach

The closest airport near is in Hyderabad. 

Kurnool is the nearest train station.

It is well connected by Kurnool.

Best time to visit

Highlights

Coles Centennial Church:

The church, a short hop away from the Konda Reddy Buruju, is an exquisite Gothic structure with a stone-brick fagade, red-tiled roofs and tinted windows.

Oravakallu Rock Garden:

Oravakallu Rock Garden, Millions of years of wind and water erosion have chiselled the hillocks around Oravakallu, resulting in a beautiful array of shapes and formations.

Gol Gumbadh:

Built around 1620A0, Gol Gumbadh is the mausoleum of Abdul Wahab Khan, the first Nawab of Kurnool who owed allegiance to the Bijapur Kingdom.

Jagannatha Gattu:

As you head south of Kurnool, you will come across a long, narrow strip of hill that has a remarkably gentle incline.

Mahanandi:

The most remarkable thing about the shrine at Mahanandi is its temple tank, which is perhaps the cleanest in all of India