Wildlife sanctuaries of Odisha play a prominent role in the protection of flora and fauna of the state. There are both large and small sanctuaries in Odisha. The state of Odisha has dedicated around 4.1 percent of its total land area to the wildlife conservation drive. As large tracts of land are dedicated towards the protection of wildlife, chances of human infringement in order to devastate the land areas have reduced to a considerable extent. Wildlife sanctuaries of Odisha also fetch revenue to the tourism industry of Odisha. Some of these wildlife sanctuaries are described below.
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated about 22 kilometers from Sambalpur. This small sanctuary was established in 1962. Dry deciduous forests along with sal, sandalwood, arjuna, neem, acacia and casuarinas comprise the flora of the sanctuary. The sanctuary has faunal species like tiger, elephant, sambar, leopard and bison. Watch towers have been placed near the watering holes in the sanctuary, so that the visitors can get a closer look at the animals.
Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary
Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary is situated south west of Puri. It is spread across an area of about 1100 square kilometers. Chilka Lake is Asia`s largest brackish water lake. It is located at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Bhubaneshwar. The lake`s Nalbana Island has been declared a sanctuary, as it has varied flora and fauna. This sanctuary provides shelter to various migratory and local birds. Apart from birds, fauna like chital and black buck are part of the sanctuary. Dolphins gambol playfully in the foam of the churning water of the lake.
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between the towns of Puri and Konark. This sanctuary is spread over an area of about 72 square kilometers. Black buck and olive ridley sea turtles receive shelter in the sanctuary.
Karalpat Wildlife Sanctuary
Karalpat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Kalahandi district. The sanctuary is spread over an area of about 175 square kilometers. Tiger, sambar, leopard, gaur and chital are some of the species protected in the sanctuary.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the western fringes of Odisha in Nuapada district. It encompasses an area of about 600 kilometers. There are a variety of wildlife species in this sanctuary. They are animals like tiger, leopard, hyena, barking deer, chital, gaur, sambar and sloth bear, birds and reptiles.
Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Keonjhar district. The sanctuary is spread over an area of about 191 square kilometers. It was established in the year 1978. The region has mixed variety of deciduous forests and several wildlife species like tiger, leopard, fishing cat, jungle cat, hyena, elephant, langur, pangolin, a large variety of birds and reptiles.
Tikarpara Wildlife Sanctuary
Tikarpara Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is spread over an area of about 795.52 square kilometers. Crocodiles, snakes, freshwater turtles, etc receive shelter in the sanctuary. A breeding place in the sanctuary has been created to protect a crocodile species namely, the Gharial.
Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Baliguda subdivision. The sanctuary is spread over an area of about 399.5 square kilometers. It was established in the year 1981. Major species that are found in the sanctuary are tiger, gaur and sambar.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries of Odisha
Some of the other wildlife sanctuaries of Odisha are Gaharimatha Marine Sanctuary, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Baisipali Wildlife Sanctuary and Belghar Wildlife Sanctuary.
