Lakhari Valley Sanctuary is situated in the Ganjam District in Orissa. Located at a distance of about around 60kms from the city of Berhampur, the sanctuary spreads over an area of around 185sq.kms. The Lakhari Valley Sanctuary was established in the year 1985. The place is blessed with a tropical climate and receives a huge amount of rainfall every year due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. During summers the temperature may range from 260C to 330C and is quite humid. The sanctuary is full of rich tropical forest, valleys, hills, water sources and others that generate a charming and captivating ambience in the sanctuary. The period between the months of January-May is the perfect time for visiting the place. Mahendragiri hill, close to this sanctuary is rich in its floristic composition and medicinal plants.
Flora and Fauna in Lakhari Valley Sanctuary
The Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary houses a wide variety of flora and fauna. More than 60 varieties of mangrove forests comprises of the chief vegetation of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of the evergreen repositories of mangrove forests in the world. Plants like Teak, Bamboo, Salaia, Tendu, Bel, Cassia, Terminenalai Hiwar, Zizphus, Helicteres, Dhawda, Sal, Babul, Bija, Palas, and many other are found here.
Notable faunal species in the Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary include Jungle Fowl, Sambar, Blue Bull, Sloth Bear, Crocodile, Barking Deer, Leopard, Wild Boar, Hyena, Chinkara, Four-Horned Antelope, and others. The deer designed in curved antlers are famous here. One can also get a glimpse of the Black Panther and Spotted Deer at the Behra Reservoir. The most important animal here is the elephants. This is one of the most elephant populated sanctuaries in the country. Besides providing tourists with a glimpse of the majestic elephants of the Lakhari Valley Sanctuary Orissa, the sanctuary also offers other attractions which include Blackbucks, which abound the areas in and around the Bhetnai region of Orissa. Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as Krishna Mrigam is a species of antelope which is one of the fastest of all terrestrial animals. These are found primarily in India, southern Nepal, Texas, Argentina and Pakistan.
The Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite spot of the tourists who can spend their quality time in the lap of nature and enjoy the panoramic vista of the place. Tourists visiting this place can put at Podamari, Digapahandi, Panthanivas at Taptapani (hot spring), Mohana or even Chandragiri (Tibetan settlement).
