Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best sanctuaries in the state, located 40 kilometres from Kurnool, 43 kilometres from Nandyal, 63 kilometres from Alampur, 59 kilometres from Mahanandi, 71 kilometres from Yaganti, and 255 kilometres from Hyderabad. It is best known as the home of the Great Indian Bustard, a rare bird. The sanctuary attracts a large number of migratory birds and is also known as the Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary. It is located 4.5 kilometres from Rollapadu village.
It was established in 1988 to protect the Great Indian Bustard and covers an area of 6.14 square kilometres. It is the only habitat in Andhra Pradesh for the critically endangered Bustard. Rollapadu Sanctuary is a dry grassland area with a one-of-a-kind setting. A large lake called Alaganuru Reservoir is also located 3 kilometres from Rollapadu village (7 km from the sanctuary). The Alaganuru Reservoir serves as a stopover for migratory birds and is a must-see attraction.
Rollapadu sanctuary is home to a wide range of species, including a large number of deer and black bucks. The sanctuary has also been home to foxes, jackals, bonnet macaques, jungle cats, and sloth bears. It also has 132 bird species, with the nearby Alaganuru reservoir attracting migratory birds. Aside from the bustard and the florican, other bird species seen at Rollapadu include Indian rollers, mynas, eagles, and migratory species such as barheaded geese, Demoiselle Cranes, and Greater Flamingos.
Established in the 1980s as an ideal location for bustard protection, the sanctuary has suffered severe setbacks, with the bustard population declining in recent years. Currently, the sanctuary is home to nearly 800 blackbucks.
The best time to visit this place is during the monsoon and post-monsoon season (October to December), when migratory birds visit. The main sanctuary and bird sanctuary usually take about two hours to visit. Near the sanctuary, there is a small bird museum, a watch tower, and a guest house.
The public transport to this place is limited. Few buses are available from Kurnool and Nandikotkur.
