About 532 sq.km of area is under the mangrove forest and mostly occur in the estuaries of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. The flora reported in the Andhra mangroves comprises 13 species. The most common species of mangrove vegetation found in our state are Avicennia officinalis, A. marina, Excoecaria agallocha and Sonneratia apetala. The mangrove associate species include Dalbergia spinosa, Derris uliginosa, Acanthus ilicifolius and Clerodendron inerme. Sesuvium portulacastrum, Suaeda nudiflora, Suaeda monoica and Salicornia brachiata are common. Salt tolerant grasses like Aeluropus repens are found along the mud flats.

The mangroves of our state attract a variety of fauna. The trees provide food and shelter to birds, mammals, insects, etc. The water bodies are the nourishing, spawning and breeding grounds for prawns, fishes, reptiles,aquatic mammals, amphibians and microscopic planktons. Ducks, Herons, Egrets, Darters, Cormorants occur in plenty. Crustaecans, crabs and fishes provide food for the birds.

Mangroves include areas which are open blanks, sand bars and mud flats.The blanks of the Godavari and Krishna rivers in the fringe areas have been planted with Casuarina. The mangroves are spread over the coastline and estuaries of three districts of East Godavari, Krishna and Guntur. The Coringa mangroves covering an area of 237 sq.km. are situated in the Godavari estuary near Kakinada. The other important blocks of mangroves of Godavari estuary are : Kandikuppa (38 sq.km) and Rathackulava (20 sq.km). In Krishna district the important mangrove forests are: Nachugunta (60 sq. km) Sorlagondi (52 sq.km) and Yelichitladibba (43 sq.km). Kothapalem (30 sq.km), Pothumeraka (17 sq.km) and Nizampatnam (16 sq.km) are the mangrove areas in the Guntur district.

Since 1977, all mangrove forests have been closed for working in this district. Extraction of wood from the mangrove forests in East Godavari district has been banned since 1978. For further protection, in July 1978 Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary was set up over 236 sq.km. of Coringa mangroves. This would particularly protect endangered species like salt water crocodiles, sea turtles, fishing cats, otters, etc. This would also ensure protection of fish, crustacean and molluscum species of fauna of mangrove ecosystem. Prawns and shrimps have breeding grounds in the numerous creeks of the area. The mangroves provide breeding ground to the sea turtles which are now endangered. There are also a wide variety of avian species, numbering more than 150, in Coringa sanctuary.