National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha | Odisha State PSC (OPSC): Preparation - OPSC OCS (Odisha) PDF Download

 Page 1


NATIONALPARKSAND
WILDLIFESANCTUARIES
INODISHA
CHAPTER11
The state of Odisha is very rich in its flora and fauna. There are
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The
important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state are
Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Badrama
Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide shelter to a rich flora and fauna of
the state. These are reserved areas which are used for the protection and
development of fauna and their natural habitat and environment.
National Parks of Odisha
A national park is a reserved area of natural land owned by government, that is
restricted from any kind of encroachment and development. There are two
National Parks in Odisha as per the report of Environmental Information System
(ENVIS) centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas, Government of India.Theseare
discussedbelow:
Bhitarkanika National Park
l
It is located on the North-East of Kendrapara district of Odisha. It came into
existence in the year 1998. This national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 145 sq km. It is one of the five marine
protected areas of the state.
l
It is rich in reptiles, mammals and birds. Important flora of this park are Sundari,
Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, Indigo bush, etc.
l
Important fauna found here are crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis and many other species of fauna. It has many species of plants
and birds.
Page 2


NATIONALPARKSAND
WILDLIFESANCTUARIES
INODISHA
CHAPTER11
The state of Odisha is very rich in its flora and fauna. There are
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The
important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state are
Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Badrama
Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide shelter to a rich flora and fauna of
the state. These are reserved areas which are used for the protection and
development of fauna and their natural habitat and environment.
National Parks of Odisha
A national park is a reserved area of natural land owned by government, that is
restricted from any kind of encroachment and development. There are two
National Parks in Odisha as per the report of Environmental Information System
(ENVIS) centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas, Government of India.Theseare
discussedbelow:
Bhitarkanika National Park
l
It is located on the North-East of Kendrapara district of Odisha. It came into
existence in the year 1998. This national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 145 sq km. It is one of the five marine
protected areas of the state.
l
It is rich in reptiles, mammals and birds. Important flora of this park are Sundari,
Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, Indigo bush, etc.
l
Important fauna found here are crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis and many other species of fauna. It has many species of plants
and birds.
Simlipal National Park
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district in
the North-Eastern part of Odisha. It
is situated at a distance of 320 km
from Bhubaneswar. It came into
existence in 1980.
l
It covers an area of 845.70 sq km. It is
surrounded by deciduous trees and sal
forests. Twelve rivers run across this
national park, e.g. Budhabalanga,
Palpala, Deo river, etc.
l
It has a unique feature of being a tiger
reserve, a sanctuary and a biosphere
reserve.
l
The park has a mixed type of
vegetation with Northern tropical
semi-evergreen trees and Northern
tropical moist deciduous trees and
orchids. Savannas and grasslands
provide grazing grounds to its fauna.
The park is a viable source for many
medicinal and aromatic plants also.
l
It is home to animals like tiger, Asian
elephant and gaur (Indian bison).
Other animals such as four-horned
antelope, deer, leopard, bear, spotted
deer and barking deer, sambars deer,
langurs, etc. are found here.
l
It provides shelter to Royal Bengal
Tigers. The park also has Joranda
(150 m) and Barehipani (400 m)
waterfalls.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of
Odisha
Wildlife Sanctuary is an area which is
protected but allows little human
activities for protecting and developing
wildlife. Odisha has 19 wildlife
sanctuaries as per the report of ENVIS
centre on Wildlife and Protected
Areas, Government of India. The
largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary and
the smallest Wildlife Sanctuary is
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Somemajorwildlifesanctuariesin Odisha
areasfollows:
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is also known as Ushakothi
Sanctuary. It is located in Sambalpur
district. It came into existence in 1962
and covers an area of 304.03 sq km.
l
It is comprised of parts of Badrama
Reserve Forests, Ushakothi Reserve
Forests, Binjipali Reserve Forests and
Kansar Reserve Forests.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
moist sal forests, sal dominated
mixed deciduous forests and bamboo
forests.
l
Important fauna are tiger, elephant,
leopard, hyena, bison, wildboar,
spotted deer, sambar deer, bear,
porcupine, and many varieties of birds
and reptiles.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in the estuarine region of
Brahmani-Baitarani rivers in the
North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara
district. It came into existence in the
year 1975 and covers an area of 525 sq
km. The sanctuary has mangrove
forests and is cris-crossed by tidal
inundated creeks.
l
This sanctuary is bordered by sea
beach, which attracts thousands of
Olive Ridley sea turtles during January
to April.
118 Know Your State ODISHA
Page 3


NATIONALPARKSAND
WILDLIFESANCTUARIES
INODISHA
CHAPTER11
The state of Odisha is very rich in its flora and fauna. There are
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The
important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state are
Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Badrama
Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide shelter to a rich flora and fauna of
the state. These are reserved areas which are used for the protection and
development of fauna and their natural habitat and environment.
National Parks of Odisha
A national park is a reserved area of natural land owned by government, that is
restricted from any kind of encroachment and development. There are two
National Parks in Odisha as per the report of Environmental Information System
(ENVIS) centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas, Government of India.Theseare
discussedbelow:
Bhitarkanika National Park
l
It is located on the North-East of Kendrapara district of Odisha. It came into
existence in the year 1998. This national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 145 sq km. It is one of the five marine
protected areas of the state.
l
It is rich in reptiles, mammals and birds. Important flora of this park are Sundari,
Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, Indigo bush, etc.
l
Important fauna found here are crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis and many other species of fauna. It has many species of plants
and birds.
Simlipal National Park
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district in
the North-Eastern part of Odisha. It
is situated at a distance of 320 km
from Bhubaneswar. It came into
existence in 1980.
l
It covers an area of 845.70 sq km. It is
surrounded by deciduous trees and sal
forests. Twelve rivers run across this
national park, e.g. Budhabalanga,
Palpala, Deo river, etc.
l
It has a unique feature of being a tiger
reserve, a sanctuary and a biosphere
reserve.
l
The park has a mixed type of
vegetation with Northern tropical
semi-evergreen trees and Northern
tropical moist deciduous trees and
orchids. Savannas and grasslands
provide grazing grounds to its fauna.
The park is a viable source for many
medicinal and aromatic plants also.
l
It is home to animals like tiger, Asian
elephant and gaur (Indian bison).
Other animals such as four-horned
antelope, deer, leopard, bear, spotted
deer and barking deer, sambars deer,
langurs, etc. are found here.
l
It provides shelter to Royal Bengal
Tigers. The park also has Joranda
(150 m) and Barehipani (400 m)
waterfalls.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of
Odisha
Wildlife Sanctuary is an area which is
protected but allows little human
activities for protecting and developing
wildlife. Odisha has 19 wildlife
sanctuaries as per the report of ENVIS
centre on Wildlife and Protected
Areas, Government of India. The
largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary and
the smallest Wildlife Sanctuary is
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Somemajorwildlifesanctuariesin Odisha
areasfollows:
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is also known as Ushakothi
Sanctuary. It is located in Sambalpur
district. It came into existence in 1962
and covers an area of 304.03 sq km.
l
It is comprised of parts of Badrama
Reserve Forests, Ushakothi Reserve
Forests, Binjipali Reserve Forests and
Kansar Reserve Forests.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
moist sal forests, sal dominated
mixed deciduous forests and bamboo
forests.
l
Important fauna are tiger, elephant,
leopard, hyena, bison, wildboar,
spotted deer, sambar deer, bear,
porcupine, and many varieties of birds
and reptiles.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in the estuarine region of
Brahmani-Baitarani rivers in the
North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara
district. It came into existence in the
year 1975 and covers an area of 525 sq
km. The sanctuary has mangrove
forests and is cris-crossed by tidal
inundated creeks.
l
This sanctuary is bordered by sea
beach, which attracts thousands of
Olive Ridley sea turtles during January
to April.
118 Know Your State ODISHA National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
salt water crocodile (endangered),
hyena, fishing cat, jungle cat, civet,
Indian porcupine, wild boar, spotted
deer, sambar, stork, Asian open bill,
egrets, black ibis, cormorants, darters,
etc.
Satkosia Gorge Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Angul district and is
adjoined by Boudh Nayagarh and
Cuttack districts. It came into
existence in 1976 and covers an area of
745.52 sq km. The Satkosia Gorge is
part of an extension of Mahanadi river.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, sal and
riverine forests.
l
Important fauna are gharials, elephant,
leopard, gaur, black bear,  slow loris,
musk deer, wild goat, Assamese
macaque, pig-tailed macaque, etc.
l
Some major attractions in this
sanctuary are Satkosia Gorge, the
Gharial Research and Conservation
Unit at Tikarapada, hill slopes, various
tracking routes and boating.
Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district. It
came into existence in the year 1979.
It covers an area of 1354 sq km.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
sal forests, semi-evergreen forests and
tropical moist deciduous forests.
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
tigers, elephants, panthers, gaurs,
pangolins, four horned antelopes, red
jungle fowl, crested serpent eagle,
grey hornbill, peafowl, Indian hill
myna, etc.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Khurda district amidst
of Chandaka forests. It came into
existence in the year 1979. It covers an
area of 14.16 sq km.
l
It is the only conservation breeding
centre of Indian pangolins in the
world.
l
It has been internationally acclaimed
for its highest collection of white
tigers in the world. Besides white
tigers and gharials, leopard, mouse
deer, lions, ratel and vultures are found
here.
l
The fauna of this sanctuary are Asiatic
lion, Indian crocodiles, lion, tailed
macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian
pangolin, mouse deer, etc.
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Nayagarh district. It
came into existence in the year 1981.
It covers an area around 168.35 sq km.
It has a close proximity with the
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
l
It is situated in the Eastern highlands
moist deciduous forests eco-region.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, dry deciduous
forests and moist Peninsular sal forests.
l
Important fauna are elephants, tigers,
leopards, water birds and some
varieties of reptiles like python, king
cobra, etc.
Chandaka Dampara Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located partly in Khurda district
and partly in Cuttack district. It came
into existence and designated as an
elephant reserve in 1982. It covers an
area of 175.79 sq km.
119
Page 4


NATIONALPARKSAND
WILDLIFESANCTUARIES
INODISHA
CHAPTER11
The state of Odisha is very rich in its flora and fauna. There are
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The
important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state are
Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Badrama
Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide shelter to a rich flora and fauna of
the state. These are reserved areas which are used for the protection and
development of fauna and their natural habitat and environment.
National Parks of Odisha
A national park is a reserved area of natural land owned by government, that is
restricted from any kind of encroachment and development. There are two
National Parks in Odisha as per the report of Environmental Information System
(ENVIS) centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas, Government of India.Theseare
discussedbelow:
Bhitarkanika National Park
l
It is located on the North-East of Kendrapara district of Odisha. It came into
existence in the year 1998. This national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 145 sq km. It is one of the five marine
protected areas of the state.
l
It is rich in reptiles, mammals and birds. Important flora of this park are Sundari,
Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, Indigo bush, etc.
l
Important fauna found here are crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis and many other species of fauna. It has many species of plants
and birds.
Simlipal National Park
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district in
the North-Eastern part of Odisha. It
is situated at a distance of 320 km
from Bhubaneswar. It came into
existence in 1980.
l
It covers an area of 845.70 sq km. It is
surrounded by deciduous trees and sal
forests. Twelve rivers run across this
national park, e.g. Budhabalanga,
Palpala, Deo river, etc.
l
It has a unique feature of being a tiger
reserve, a sanctuary and a biosphere
reserve.
l
The park has a mixed type of
vegetation with Northern tropical
semi-evergreen trees and Northern
tropical moist deciduous trees and
orchids. Savannas and grasslands
provide grazing grounds to its fauna.
The park is a viable source for many
medicinal and aromatic plants also.
l
It is home to animals like tiger, Asian
elephant and gaur (Indian bison).
Other animals such as four-horned
antelope, deer, leopard, bear, spotted
deer and barking deer, sambars deer,
langurs, etc. are found here.
l
It provides shelter to Royal Bengal
Tigers. The park also has Joranda
(150 m) and Barehipani (400 m)
waterfalls.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of
Odisha
Wildlife Sanctuary is an area which is
protected but allows little human
activities for protecting and developing
wildlife. Odisha has 19 wildlife
sanctuaries as per the report of ENVIS
centre on Wildlife and Protected
Areas, Government of India. The
largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary and
the smallest Wildlife Sanctuary is
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Somemajorwildlifesanctuariesin Odisha
areasfollows:
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is also known as Ushakothi
Sanctuary. It is located in Sambalpur
district. It came into existence in 1962
and covers an area of 304.03 sq km.
l
It is comprised of parts of Badrama
Reserve Forests, Ushakothi Reserve
Forests, Binjipali Reserve Forests and
Kansar Reserve Forests.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
moist sal forests, sal dominated
mixed deciduous forests and bamboo
forests.
l
Important fauna are tiger, elephant,
leopard, hyena, bison, wildboar,
spotted deer, sambar deer, bear,
porcupine, and many varieties of birds
and reptiles.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in the estuarine region of
Brahmani-Baitarani rivers in the
North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara
district. It came into existence in the
year 1975 and covers an area of 525 sq
km. The sanctuary has mangrove
forests and is cris-crossed by tidal
inundated creeks.
l
This sanctuary is bordered by sea
beach, which attracts thousands of
Olive Ridley sea turtles during January
to April.
118 Know Your State ODISHA National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
salt water crocodile (endangered),
hyena, fishing cat, jungle cat, civet,
Indian porcupine, wild boar, spotted
deer, sambar, stork, Asian open bill,
egrets, black ibis, cormorants, darters,
etc.
Satkosia Gorge Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Angul district and is
adjoined by Boudh Nayagarh and
Cuttack districts. It came into
existence in 1976 and covers an area of
745.52 sq km. The Satkosia Gorge is
part of an extension of Mahanadi river.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, sal and
riverine forests.
l
Important fauna are gharials, elephant,
leopard, gaur, black bear,  slow loris,
musk deer, wild goat, Assamese
macaque, pig-tailed macaque, etc.
l
Some major attractions in this
sanctuary are Satkosia Gorge, the
Gharial Research and Conservation
Unit at Tikarapada, hill slopes, various
tracking routes and boating.
Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district. It
came into existence in the year 1979.
It covers an area of 1354 sq km.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
sal forests, semi-evergreen forests and
tropical moist deciduous forests.
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
tigers, elephants, panthers, gaurs,
pangolins, four horned antelopes, red
jungle fowl, crested serpent eagle,
grey hornbill, peafowl, Indian hill
myna, etc.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Khurda district amidst
of Chandaka forests. It came into
existence in the year 1979. It covers an
area of 14.16 sq km.
l
It is the only conservation breeding
centre of Indian pangolins in the
world.
l
It has been internationally acclaimed
for its highest collection of white
tigers in the world. Besides white
tigers and gharials, leopard, mouse
deer, lions, ratel and vultures are found
here.
l
The fauna of this sanctuary are Asiatic
lion, Indian crocodiles, lion, tailed
macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian
pangolin, mouse deer, etc.
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Nayagarh district. It
came into existence in the year 1981.
It covers an area around 168.35 sq km.
It has a close proximity with the
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
l
It is situated in the Eastern highlands
moist deciduous forests eco-region.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, dry deciduous
forests and moist Peninsular sal forests.
l
Important fauna are elephants, tigers,
leopards, water birds and some
varieties of reptiles like python, king
cobra, etc.
Chandaka Dampara Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located partly in Khurda district
and partly in Cuttack district. It came
into existence and designated as an
elephant reserve in 1982. It covers an
area of 175.79 sq km.
119
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
moist semi-evergreen forests, moist
Kangada forests, coastal sal forests,
thorny bamboo forests, planted teak,
scrub, orchids, etc.
l
Important fauna are Indian elephant,
leopard, chital, barking deer, mouse
deer, wild pig, common langur, small
Indian civet, pangolin, sloth bear,
hyena, peafowl, red jungle fowl,
crested serpent eagle and many
reptiles.
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Puri district along sea
coast between Puri and Konark.  It
came into existence in the year 1984.
It covers an area of 71.72 sq km. It is
the ideal habitat of the Chousingha.
l
The combination of dry deciduous
mixed forests with rich wildlife and
Hirakud reservoir, are some important
features of Balukhand-Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary.
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
black buck, spotted deer, monkey,
squirrel, jungle cat, hyena, mongoose,
jackal and many varieties of birds and
reptiles.
Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located on the east coast of Puri,
Khurda and Ganjam district. It came
into existence in 1987. It covers an
area of about 15.53 sq km. It is also
known as Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
and it is an island in Chilika lake.
l
This area is completely submerged
during the monsoon season. This
sanctuary comprises of 60% of the total
migratory bird species visiting Chilika
lake each year.
l
Birds Island is a part of this lake which
is known as heaven for the resident
and migratory birds.
l
It is a home to  endangered Irrawady
dolphins and bottle-nosed dolphins
also can be seen.
l
Important birds species of this
sanctuary are white bellied sea eagles,
greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana,
herons, flamingos.
l
Important fauna are black buck,
spotted deer, jungle cat, fox, golden
jackals, hyena, etc. The sanctuary also
has about 160 species of fishes.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Nuapada district. It
came into existence in the year 1988
and covers an area of 500 sq km. It
adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti
Sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh.
l
It has eleven beautiful waterfalls and
seasonal streams. Important fauna of
this sanctuary are swamp deer, wild
water buffalo, tiger, leopard, hyena,
gaur, barking and spotted deer, nilgai,
etc.
l
The varieties of birds, around 200
species, such as hill myna, peafowl,
partridge and also number of
reptilian species are also found here.
l
The National Tiger Conservation
Authority selected it as Tiger Reserve.
l
This sanctuary is an ideal habitat for
Barasingha.
l
It also forms a migration link for wild
buffaloes across two Indian states, i.e.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
120 Know Your State ODISHA
Page 5


NATIONALPARKSAND
WILDLIFESANCTUARIES
INODISHA
CHAPTER11
The state of Odisha is very rich in its flora and fauna. There are
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. The
important national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state are
Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Badrama
Wildlife Sanctuary, Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide shelter to a rich flora and fauna of
the state. These are reserved areas which are used for the protection and
development of fauna and their natural habitat and environment.
National Parks of Odisha
A national park is a reserved area of natural land owned by government, that is
restricted from any kind of encroachment and development. There are two
National Parks in Odisha as per the report of Environmental Information System
(ENVIS) centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas, Government of India.Theseare
discussedbelow:
Bhitarkanika National Park
l
It is located on the North-East of Kendrapara district of Odisha. It came into
existence in the year 1998. This national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of 145 sq km. It is one of the five marine
protected areas of the state.
l
It is rich in reptiles, mammals and birds. Important flora of this park are Sundari,
Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, Indigo bush, etc.
l
Important fauna found here are crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, king
cobra, black ibis and many other species of fauna. It has many species of plants
and birds.
Simlipal National Park
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district in
the North-Eastern part of Odisha. It
is situated at a distance of 320 km
from Bhubaneswar. It came into
existence in 1980.
l
It covers an area of 845.70 sq km. It is
surrounded by deciduous trees and sal
forests. Twelve rivers run across this
national park, e.g. Budhabalanga,
Palpala, Deo river, etc.
l
It has a unique feature of being a tiger
reserve, a sanctuary and a biosphere
reserve.
l
The park has a mixed type of
vegetation with Northern tropical
semi-evergreen trees and Northern
tropical moist deciduous trees and
orchids. Savannas and grasslands
provide grazing grounds to its fauna.
The park is a viable source for many
medicinal and aromatic plants also.
l
It is home to animals like tiger, Asian
elephant and gaur (Indian bison).
Other animals such as four-horned
antelope, deer, leopard, bear, spotted
deer and barking deer, sambars deer,
langurs, etc. are found here.
l
It provides shelter to Royal Bengal
Tigers. The park also has Joranda
(150 m) and Barehipani (400 m)
waterfalls.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of
Odisha
Wildlife Sanctuary is an area which is
protected but allows little human
activities for protecting and developing
wildlife. Odisha has 19 wildlife
sanctuaries as per the report of ENVIS
centre on Wildlife and Protected
Areas, Government of India. The
largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is
Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary and
the smallest Wildlife Sanctuary is
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Somemajorwildlifesanctuariesin Odisha
areasfollows:
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is also known as Ushakothi
Sanctuary. It is located in Sambalpur
district. It came into existence in 1962
and covers an area of 304.03 sq km.
l
It is comprised of parts of Badrama
Reserve Forests, Ushakothi Reserve
Forests, Binjipali Reserve Forests and
Kansar Reserve Forests.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
moist sal forests, sal dominated
mixed deciduous forests and bamboo
forests.
l
Important fauna are tiger, elephant,
leopard, hyena, bison, wildboar,
spotted deer, sambar deer, bear,
porcupine, and many varieties of birds
and reptiles.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in the estuarine region of
Brahmani-Baitarani rivers in the
North-Eastern corner of Kendrapara
district. It came into existence in the
year 1975 and covers an area of 525 sq
km. The sanctuary has mangrove
forests and is cris-crossed by tidal
inundated creeks.
l
This sanctuary is bordered by sea
beach, which attracts thousands of
Olive Ridley sea turtles during January
to April.
118 Know Your State ODISHA National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
salt water crocodile (endangered),
hyena, fishing cat, jungle cat, civet,
Indian porcupine, wild boar, spotted
deer, sambar, stork, Asian open bill,
egrets, black ibis, cormorants, darters,
etc.
Satkosia Gorge Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Angul district and is
adjoined by Boudh Nayagarh and
Cuttack districts. It came into
existence in 1976 and covers an area of
745.52 sq km. The Satkosia Gorge is
part of an extension of Mahanadi river.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, sal and
riverine forests.
l
Important fauna are gharials, elephant,
leopard, gaur, black bear,  slow loris,
musk deer, wild goat, Assamese
macaque, pig-tailed macaque, etc.
l
Some major attractions in this
sanctuary are Satkosia Gorge, the
Gharial Research and Conservation
Unit at Tikarapada, hill slopes, various
tracking routes and boating.
Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district. It
came into existence in the year 1979.
It covers an area of 1354 sq km.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
sal forests, semi-evergreen forests and
tropical moist deciduous forests.
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
tigers, elephants, panthers, gaurs,
pangolins, four horned antelopes, red
jungle fowl, crested serpent eagle,
grey hornbill, peafowl, Indian hill
myna, etc.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Khurda district amidst
of Chandaka forests. It came into
existence in the year 1979. It covers an
area of 14.16 sq km.
l
It is the only conservation breeding
centre of Indian pangolins in the
world.
l
It has been internationally acclaimed
for its highest collection of white
tigers in the world. Besides white
tigers and gharials, leopard, mouse
deer, lions, ratel and vultures are found
here.
l
The fauna of this sanctuary are Asiatic
lion, Indian crocodiles, lion, tailed
macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian
pangolin, mouse deer, etc.
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Nayagarh district. It
came into existence in the year 1981.
It covers an area around 168.35 sq km.
It has a close proximity with the
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.
l
It is situated in the Eastern highlands
moist deciduous forests eco-region.
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
mixed deciduous forests, dry deciduous
forests and moist Peninsular sal forests.
l
Important fauna are elephants, tigers,
leopards, water birds and some
varieties of reptiles like python, king
cobra, etc.
Chandaka Dampara Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located partly in Khurda district
and partly in Cuttack district. It came
into existence and designated as an
elephant reserve in 1982. It covers an
area of 175.79 sq km.
119
l
Important flora of this sanctuary are
moist semi-evergreen forests, moist
Kangada forests, coastal sal forests,
thorny bamboo forests, planted teak,
scrub, orchids, etc.
l
Important fauna are Indian elephant,
leopard, chital, barking deer, mouse
deer, wild pig, common langur, small
Indian civet, pangolin, sloth bear,
hyena, peafowl, red jungle fowl,
crested serpent eagle and many
reptiles.
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Puri district along sea
coast between Puri and Konark.  It
came into existence in the year 1984.
It covers an area of 71.72 sq km. It is
the ideal habitat of the Chousingha.
l
The combination of dry deciduous
mixed forests with rich wildlife and
Hirakud reservoir, are some important
features of Balukhand-Konark
Wildlife Sanctuary.
l
Important fauna of this sanctuary are
black buck, spotted deer, monkey,
squirrel, jungle cat, hyena, mongoose,
jackal and many varieties of birds and
reptiles.
Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located on the east coast of Puri,
Khurda and Ganjam district. It came
into existence in 1987. It covers an
area of about 15.53 sq km. It is also
known as Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
and it is an island in Chilika lake.
l
This area is completely submerged
during the monsoon season. This
sanctuary comprises of 60% of the total
migratory bird species visiting Chilika
lake each year.
l
Birds Island is a part of this lake which
is known as heaven for the resident
and migratory birds.
l
It is a home to  endangered Irrawady
dolphins and bottle-nosed dolphins
also can be seen.
l
Important birds species of this
sanctuary are white bellied sea eagles,
greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana,
herons, flamingos.
l
Important fauna are black buck,
spotted deer, jungle cat, fox, golden
jackals, hyena, etc. The sanctuary also
has about 160 species of fishes.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
l
It is located in Nuapada district. It
came into existence in the year 1988
and covers an area of 500 sq km. It
adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti
Sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh.
l
It has eleven beautiful waterfalls and
seasonal streams. Important fauna of
this sanctuary are swamp deer, wild
water buffalo, tiger, leopard, hyena,
gaur, barking and spotted deer, nilgai,
etc.
l
The varieties of birds, around 200
species, such as hill myna, peafowl,
partridge and also number of
reptilian species are also found here.
l
The National Tiger Conservation
Authority selected it as Tiger Reserve.
l
This sanctuary is an ideal habitat for
Barasingha.
l
It also forms a migration link for wild
buffaloes across two Indian states, i.e.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
120 Know Your State ODISHA National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha 121
Gahirmatha (Marine) Wildlife
Sanctuary
l
It is located in Kendrapara district of
Odisha. It came into existence in
1997. It covers an area of 1435 sq
km. This is the world’s largest
nesting beach of Olive Ridley Sea
Turtles.
l
Important flora of the sanctuary are
bel, tendu, hiwar, palas, sal, dhawda,
babool, teak, bamboo, etc.
l
Important fauna are wild boar,
bear, barking deer, leopard, jungle
fowl, crocodile, sambar, hyena, wild
dog, four-horned antelope,
chinkara, etc.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife
Sanctuary
Year Place
Area
(sq km)
Debrigarh Wildlife
Sanctuary
1985 Sambalpur 346.91
Hadgarh Wildlife
Sanctuary
1978 Keonjhar 191.06
Karlapat Wildlife
Sanctuary
1992 Kalahandi 147.66
Khalasuni Wildlife
Sanctuary
1982 Sambalpur 116
Kotagarh Wildlife
Sanctuary
1981 Kandhamal 399.5
Kuldiha Wildlife
Sanctuary
1984 Balasore 272.75
Lakhari Wildlife
Sanctuary
1985 Ganjam 185.87
Kapilasa Wildlife
Sanctuary
2011 Dhenkanal 125.5
Wildlife Reserves in Odisha
Wildlife reserve is a protected area for
wildlife, flora and fauna. It is reserved
and managed for conservation and to
provide opportunities for research work
for a particular species.
Somemajorwildlifereservesof Odisha are
discussedbelow:
Simlipal Tiger Reserve
l
It is located in Mayurbhanj district of
Odisha. It came into existence in
1956. It covers an area around 2,750 sq
km. This reserve was selected as one
amongst the 9 reserves for
implementation of the first phase of
Project Tiger in 1973. After the
launch of this project, the number of
tigers has increased.
l
The reserve has around 1,352 plant
species with 94 species of orchids of
which 35 species of Odisha are
endemic to Simlipal. It has semi-
evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
l
Important fauna are leopard, sambar,
langur, deer, gaur (Indian bison),
elephant, antelope, cheetal, wild dog,
wild boar, sloth bear, monkey, hyena
and porcupine, etc.
Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve
l
It is located on the borders of
Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and
Keonjhar district. This elephant
reserve comprises of three protected
areas such as Simlipal Tiger Reserve,
Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
l
It came into existence in the year 2001.
It covers an area of 3,214 sq km.
l
The reserve also includes the reserve
forests, protected forests, private lands
and revenue lands. It has mainly
constituted for elephants.
l
The main feature of this reserve is the
Hadgarh Sanctuary and the reservoir
of Hadgarh, which is adjoining with
Baula Hills. This reservoir is built on
Salandi river.