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Ambapani Sanctuary
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 - Konark
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 Sanctuary
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.
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.
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 Sanctuary
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.
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 Balaosre 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.
Padmatala Sanctuary
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.
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. |
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