National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha

Odisha is rich in biodiversity, with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries providing refuge for numerous species of flora and fauna. These protected areas serve as habitats for wildlife, ensuring their conservation and natural environment preservation. Below is a detailed overview of key national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves in the state.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding of Odisha’s key national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
2. Knowledge of significant flora and fauna in these reserves.
3. Insights into the government initiatives for wildlife conservation.

National Parks in Odisha

A National Park is a government-owned area with strict regulations to protect and maintain its natural habitat. Odisha has two major national parks.

Bhitarkanika National Park

Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the North-East Kendrapara district. Established in 1998, it spans 145 sq km and is encircled by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of Odisha’s five marine protected areas.

1. Location: North-East Kendrapara district.
2. Area: 145 sq km.
3. Biodiversity: Rich in reptiles, mammals, and birds. Key flora includes Sundari, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Indigo bush, and others.
4. Notable Fauna: Crocodile, Indian python, King cobra, and Black ibis.
5. Significance: Marine protected region, vital for conserving diverse ecosystems.

Simlipal National Park

Simlipal National Park is situated in the Mayurbhanj district and was designated a national park in 1980. Covering an area of 845.70 sq km, it is home to deciduous forests, savannas, and grasslands.

1. Location: Mayurbhanj district, 320 km from Bhubaneswar.
2. Area: 845.70 sq km.
3. Unique Features: A Tiger Reserve, sanctuary, and biosphere reserve.
4. Vegetation: Northern tropical semi-evergreen trees and tropical moist deciduous trees, orchids, medicinal plants.
5. Notable Fauna: Tigers, Asian elephants, four-horned antelope, sambar deer, leopards, and langurs.
6. Waterfalls: Joranda (150 m) and Barehipani (400 m).

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha

Wildlife Sanctuaries are designated areas that provide habitat for wildlife while allowing limited human activities. Odisha hosts 19 wildlife sanctuaries, with Gahirmatha being the largest and Nandankanan the smallest.

Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary

Known also as Ushakothi Sanctuary, established in 1962, located in Sambalpur district.

1. Location: Sambalpur district.
2. Area: 304.03 sq km.
3. Composition: Moist sal forests, mixed deciduous forests, and bamboo forests.
4. Fauna: Tigers, elephants, leopards, hyenas, sambar deer, porcupines, birds, and reptiles.

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the estuarine region of the Brahmani-Baitarani rivers, this sanctuary was established in 1975.

1. Location: Kendrapara district.
2. Area: 525 sq km.
3. Flora: Mangrove forests with tidal creeks.
4. Fauna: Saltwater crocodiles, hyenas, fishing cats, civets, spotted deer, and various bird species.
5. Highlights: The sea beach attracts Olive Ridley sea turtles from January to April.

Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Angul, extending to Boudh, Nayagarh, and Cuttack districts, established in 1976.

1. Location: Angul district.
2. Area: 745.52 sq km.
3. Flora: Mixed deciduous and riverine forests.
4. Fauna: Gharials, elephants, leopards, musk deer, Assamese macaques, and slow loris.
5. Attractions: Satkosia Gorge, Gharial Research Unit, boating, trekking routes.

Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1979 in the Khurda district, known for being the only conservation breeding centre for Indian pangolins globally.

1. Location: Khurda district.
2. Area: 14.16 sq km.
3. Notable Fauna: White tigers, Asiatic lions, crocodiles, Nilgiri langurs, and mouse deer.
4. Unique Feature: The world’s highest collection of white tigers.

Important Note: Nandankanan is also the first zoo in India to become a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Wildlife Reserves in Odisha

Wildlife Reserves are managed areas focusing on research and conservation of specific species.

Simlipal Tiger Reserve

Located in the Mayurbhanj district, established in 1956.

1. Area: 2,750 sq km.
2. Flora: Houses 1,352 plant species, including orchids. Contains semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
3. Fauna: Tigers, leopards, deer, elephants, and antelopes.
4. Project Tiger: One of nine reserves selected for this project in 1973.

Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve

Established in 2001, spans the borders of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Keonjhar districts.

1. Area: 3,214 sq km.
2. Components: Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Key Feature: Focuses on the conservation of elephants.

Mahanadi Elephant Reserve

Encompasses portions of Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, and Dhenkanal districts, founded in 2002.

1. Area: 1,038 sq km.
2. Composition: Satkosia Wildlife Division, Mahanadi Wildlife Division, and others.
3. Conservation Focus: Elephants and other wildlife in the region.

Biodiversity Hotspots in Odisha

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve

Located in Mayurbhanj, this reserve represents the Northern limit of the Deccan plateau.

1. Area: 4,374 sq km, established in 1994.
2. Vegetation: Northern tropical semi-evergreen forest, Northern tropical moist deciduous forest, and high sal forests.
3. Key Fauna: Over 50% of Odisha’s tiger population, with more than 200 medicinal plant species.

Bhitarkanika Mangrove

Covers the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers’ deltaic regions, spread over 3,000 sq km.

1. Significance: Second-largest mangrove forest in India.
2. Flora: Houses 55 out of 58 known mangrove species in India.
3. Fauna: King cobra, saltwater crocodile, Olive Ridley turtles.
4. UNESCO: Designated a Ramsar Site in 2002.

Conservation Initiatives in Odisha

1. Project Tiger: Launched in 1973; selected Simlipal as a prime conservation location, boosting tiger numbers.
2. Odisha Wildlife Organisation: Founded in 1974, promoting community involvement in wildlife conservation.
3. Crocodile Conservation Programme: Began in 1974-75, notably increasing saltwater crocodile populations.
4. Sea Turtle Conservation: Started in 1976 to protect Olive Ridley sea turtles. Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1997 for their conservation.
5. Project Elephant: Initiated in 1991, leading to the creation of three Elephant Reserves in Odisha.

Comparative Overview of Protected Areas in Odisha

Important Concept: National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

differ in their level of protection; national parks have stricter regulations regarding human activities.

MCQ:

Which wildlife sanctuary in Odisha is known for being the world’s largest nesting beach of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles?
a) Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary
b) Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
c) Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
d) Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary
Correct Answer: c) Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary