Flora and fauna

 See also: Wildlife sanctuaries of India, Tiger reserves of India, and List of national parks of India

• The Krishna Godavari Basin is one of the main nesting sites of the endangered olive ridley sea turtle. Godavari is also a home to the endangered fringed-lipped carp (Labeo fimbriatus).
• The Coringa mangrove forests in the Godavari delta are the third largest mangrove formation in the country. Part of this has been declared as the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for reptiles. They also provide an important habitat to a wide variety of fish and crustaceans. These forests also act as barriers against cyclones, tropical storms, and storm surges, thus protecting the nearby villages.
• The Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary is another haven for birds located near the town of Paithan spread across the back waters of the NathSagar Reservoir formed by impounding the Godavari by the massive Jayakwadi Dam. Its 341 km² area is dotted by islands within the reservoir which serve as nesting sites for the birds.
• The Nandurmadmeshwar Bird Sanctuary is located along the back waters of the Godavari river near Nashik at its confluence with Kadva River.It is known as the Bharatpur of Maharashtra for the wide diversity of bird life that it harbours.

The following are few other wildlife sanctuaries located in the river basin:

• Bor Wildlife Sanctuary
• Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary
• Indravati National Park
• Kanger Ghati National Park
• Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary
• Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary
• Navegaon National Park
• Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary
• Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pench National Park
• Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project
• Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary