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Ambapani
Located 77 kms from Bhawanipatna and 45 kms from Nowrangpur,
Ambapani is famous for the deity of Budharaja
installed in a small temple at the foot of a hill. The
picturesque Ambapani hills present a panoramic view of nature.
A frolicking valley called Haladigundi in this range of hills
exhibits some peculiar features due to the reflected rays of
the sun. The whole area abounds in Spotted Deer, Sambar and
Black Panthers which can be seen at the Behera reservoir. 5
kms away are the pre-historic cave paintings at Gudahandi.
Badarama
Badarama sanctury also popularly known as Usakothi, located in
the district of Sambalpur, 48 km. from Sambalpur on the NH-6
under Bamra Forest Division. Its prominent and attractive
location in western Orissa with hilly undulating areas and
rich dry deciduous mixed forests and wide variety of fauna
including tiger, leopard, elephant, hyena, wildboar, spotted
deer, sambar, bear, porcupine and a number of birds, reptiles
etc. make it very beautiful. Balukhand
This sanctury is situated at convenient location along sea
coast between Puri and Konark. The flora of the area includes
casuarina, anacardium, neem, tamarind, karanja, etc. The
prominent founa include blackbuck, spotted deer, monkey,
squirrel, jungle cat, hyena, jackel, mangoose and variety of
birds and reptiles. Puri is located just 3 km. from entry
point of the sanctury and the Puri - Konark marine drive
passes through it. Baisipalli
Adjacent to Satkosia gorge and located in the Nayagarh
district,the Baisipalli wildlife sanctury is having similar
and contigoous habitat features as the Satkosia gorge sanctury.
The panoramic view of the Satkosia gorge along with the
forests in most scenic. Belghar
158 kms from Phulbani are the thick tropical forests of
Belghar. The dense vegetation of the area is a host to a
variety of flora and fauna. Wild elephants abound in this area
which is inhabited mainly by tribal peoples.
Bhitar
Kanika
Widely acclaimed for its biodiversity in flora and fauna, it
is the second largest compact mangrove ecosystem in India. It
is also a Sanctuary and National Park. Extending over more
than six hundred square kilometres, it is one of the very few
evergreen repository of most luxuriant mangrove vegetation in
the world. More than sixty varieties of mangrove plants are
found here which provide home to a variety of rare and
endangered species. The pneumatophores, better known as
breathing roots, stand like sentries of the land. <more>
Chandaka
The fascinating dense Chandaka forest, just a few kilometers
from Bhubaneswar, is the only one of its kind, and is perfect
for eco-tourism. As the elephants generally venture out at
night, a long evening within the reserve, on one of the watch
towers built by the Forest Department close to the
water-holes, is a thrilling experience and one gets the
feeling that one is millions of miles away from civilization.
These majestic animals have made the Chandaka Forest their
home, and can be seen quite frequently. They are however
completely wild, and on occasion be dangerous. In addition to
elephants, the Reserve boasts of cheetal, bears, pea-fowl,
sambhar, and various other species. The Forest officials have
also spotted pug marks of cheetahs within the forest. <more> Chilika
Just south of Puri, the sea mixes in with the 1100 sq.km
inland Chilika Lake to create the largest brackish water lake
in Asia. These shallow waters enclose an immense area of
marshes, lowlands, and islands. There are more than 160
varieties of fish, and, in the winter season (from November
through March), the area is home to hundreds of thousands of
migratory birds as well. <more>
Debrigarh
The combination of dry deciduous mixed forests with rich
wildlife, Hirakud reservior, attractive topographical features
are the important features of Debrigarh wildlife sanctury. The
Hirakud reservoir attracts large number of migratory birds
during winter. The forest area is ideal habitat for Chousingha.
Other prominent fauna includes tiger, leopard, gaur, sambar,
spotted dear, sloth bear, resident and migratory birds,
monitor lizards, chameleon etc. The sanctury entry point at
Dhodrokusum adjoining Hirakud reservoir is 40 km. from
Sambalpur and 60 km. from Baragarh. Gahirmatha
Close to the Bhitar Kanika Sanctuary is another of Orissa's
special sanctuaries - the Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary. This
stretch of beach is the breeding ground for the giant Olive
Ridley Turtles, who travel all the way from the Pacific Ocean
to mate and lay their eggs here. Every year, thousands of
these wonderous creatures can be seen here. In order to
protect the turtles, special arrangements have been made by
the Government of Orissa. Hadagarh
Hadagarh sanctuary in the district of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj
is close to Hadagarh reservoir of Salandi dam. The area is
rich in mixed deciduous forests and wildlife which includes
tiger, leopard, fishing cat, hyena, elephant, langur,
pangolin, a variety of birds and reptiles. The Baula hill
range lying on the east and west of Salandi river, the valley
occupied by the reservoir and its catchments are the main
features. Karlapat
About 35 kms from Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of
Kalahandi, on the Bhawanipatna-Thuamula-Rampur road is
Karlapat, famous for its enchanting wildlife. Tigers,
leopards, sambars, gaur and cheetal have a rich presence in
these forest tracts. <more> Kotagarh
Kotagarh wildlife sanctuary located in the Baliguda
subdivision of Kandhamal district is rich in bio-diversity.
Major wildlife species are tiger, elephant, gaur, sambar,
spotted deer, peafowl, red jungle fowl and a variety of
reptiles. The dense lush green forests with sylvan and serene
picturesque beauty is the major attraction. A wooden bunglow
at Belghar attracts many nature loving visitors. Khalasuni
Khalasuni's undulating topography ranging from 223 mt. to 750
mt. offers a wide ranging scenic beauty of wild virgin
forests. There are a variety of wildlife like tiger, leopard,
elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, pea fowl,
horn bill and a number of reptilian species. It is an ideal
place for nature lovers and tourists. Kuldiha
This sanctury is located in the district of Balasore and is
blessed with a charming forest and a variety of wildlife such
as tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, giant squirrel, a
number of bird species like hill myna, peafowl, hornbills and
various reptiles. The sanctury is linked with Similipal
through Sukhupada hills and Nato hill ranges. A trek from
Nilgiri amidst Kuldiha forests is worth enjoying. Two rest
houses at Kuldiha and Jadachuan and the perinnial streams are
treat for the visitors. Lakhari
This sanctuary located in the Lakhari valley near Ganjam has a
large concentration of elephants and other wildlife.
Blackbucks abound in this region. Nandan
Kanan
Nandan Kanan means '"garden of pleasure", and this
combination of zoo, botanical garden and sanctuary 20 km from
Bhubaneswar, in the splendid environs of the Chandaka Forest,
along the rippling waters of the Kanjia lake, fits the
description. <more>
Padamtala
The little hamlet of Padmatala, located 37 kms from Phulbani,
is famous for the presence of a pond which is used by the
wild animals of the area as a watering hole. During most
evenings one can spot an amazing variety of wildlife at the
pond.
Satkosia
Satkosia gorge is a unique feature in geomorphology in India.
Here Mahanadi has cut right across the Eastern Ghats and has
formed a magnificent gorge. Located in the districts of
Angul,Cuttack,Nayagarh and Boudh, Satkosia gorge
sanctury(795.52 sq.km.) with sylvan beauty and excellent
natural features is an attractive destination for scientist
and nature lovers. The major attraction of the area is
22 km. long gorge(known as Satkosia gorge) of the river
Mahanadi which divides the area into a two distinct parts
accessible respectively from Angul and Nayagarh or Boudh. The
area supports moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forests
and moist peninsular sal forests and is stronghold of
tiger,leopard,elephant,gaur,sambar,spotted deer,mouse
deer,nilgai,choushingha,sloth bear,wild dog etc., varieties of
resident and migratory birds reptilian species(gharial,mugger
crocodile,fresh water turtle,poisonous anmd non-poisonous
snakes etc.). Major attraction of the sanctury is the
gorge,river Mahanadi,the Gharial Research and Conservation
Unit at Tikarapada,hill slopes,various tracking routes and
boating. Simlipal
The Mayurbhanj district of Orissa is the home of one of the
most important National Parks not only of Orissa, but also in
the country. Spread over an area of 2,750 sq. kms., the park
was specially chosen by Project Tiger for continuing the
onerous task of conserving the country's depleting tiger
population. This tiger reserve has over 95 Royal Bengal Tigers
within its lavish bounds. Leopards, elephants, mugger
crocodiles and numerous reptiles abound here. Over 230 species
of birds people the forest and waterways in the park. <more> Sunabeda
Located close to the boundary of Chhatisgarh state on the
western fringe of Orissa in the newly created Nuapada
district, this sanctury covers 600 sq. km. of dry deciduous
forests. The plateau on the hill top holds a slightly
undulating flat land with good edible grass. Eleven beautiful
waterfalls and seasonal streams which dry out during summer
leaving few deep pools of water. These are very fascinating
attractions. Major wildlife species are: tiger, leopard,
hyena, barking deer, chital, gaur, sambar, sloth bear,
varieties of birds such as hill myna, pea fowl, partridge and
a number of reptilian species. This sanctury is considered as
an ideal habitat for Barasingha (locally extinct). Ushakothi
One of Orissa's smaller sanctuaries, Ushakothi, situated 45
kms from Sambalpur, offers visitors a perfect opportunity to
see elephants, tigers, panthers, sambars etc. from the
strategically placed watch towers or from on board a jeep. |
