Subject Preference: GS I (Geography) | GS III (Environment & Ecology)
- The News: The 40th Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) will be conducted here to track the health of the wetland and its avian residents.
- Basics: Located in Andhra Pradesh (East Godavari district), it is the second-largest mangrove formation in India after the Sundarbans. It sits at the confluence where the Godavari River meets the Bay of Bengal.
- Ecosystem & Conservation: * Adaptations: Home to 24 mangrove species (e.g., Rhizophora, Avicennia) featuring unique adaptations like pneumatophores (breathing roots) and stilt roots.
- Key Fauna: It is a rare habitat for the Fishing Cat and the Smooth-coated Otter. Its 18-km sandpit is a vital nesting site for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.
- Avian Importance: It is a critical stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, hosting endangered species like the White-backed Vulture.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
