Odisha is an Indian state in the country’s eastern region. Odisha is recognised for its lush forests, mountains, valleys, and diverse animals. The national parks of Odisha are not only unique but also a nature lover’s paradise. Odisha has a distinct personality and distinguishes itself from other states by having a larger area of dense forest cover and diverse biodiversity. Odisha has 18 wildlife sanctuaries, including two national parks, and the forest occupies around one-third of the state.

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary

  • The Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known sanctuary home to a broad range of animals and vegetation. It is located in the hamlet of Tikarpada in the Angul district of Odisha. 
  • The wildlife sanctuary is surrounded by the spectacular Satkosia valley, a 22-kilometre-long canyon formed by the rushing Mahanadi amidst verdant hills, covering 795.52 square kilometres. It was founded in 1975.
  • A “Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre” in the Mahanadi environment helps save several endangered crocodiles. Gharials are bred in the Gharial Sanctuary in Tikarpada before being released into the Mahanadi River. This makes it one of the largest sanctuaries in Odisha. 
  • Leopards, jungle fowl, elephants, Indian adjutants, and other creatures and birds have been discovered in this sanctuary. The woodlands of Tikarpada are patrolled by the most powerful wild animals, such as Tigers and Leopards. Huge herds of Asiatic elephants can be seen among langurs, rhesus macaques, spotted deer, pangolin, nilgai, sambhar, mouse deer, eland, and sloth bear.

Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary

  • The Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Odisha’s Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. 
  • This wildlife sanctuary is 191 square kilometres in size. This sanctuary is near the Hadagarh reservoir of the Salandi dam. It has a pleasant environment with various animals and mixed deciduous trees. 
  • With its stunning magnificence, the Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, encircled by Sal trees with stretches of extensive grasslands in between, provides a picture-perfect atmosphere. 
  • The Mukta, Suranga, Andheri, and Bento Kohli streams are among the refuge’s waterways. This sanctuary used to be crossed by the Salandi River. A tributary of the Baitarani River can be found here. 
  • The refuge is home to tigers, leopards, fisher cats, jungle cats, pangolin, hyena, wolf, porcupine, and langur, among other animals.
  • It was founded in 1978.
  • The Hadgarh reservoir, also known as the Hadagarh dam, is an excellent site for a picnic on the Salandi River. It is also referred to as the sanctuary’s most important wetlands. This reservoir has become a popular stopover for migratory and aquatic birds.

Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is a brackish water lagoon stretched across the Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the encompassing a vast area of 1100 sq km, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Odisha’s most visited wildlife sanctuaries. 
  • Hills border this brackish water lagoon. Chilka Lake is home to roughly 160 different crustaceans, fish, and other marine life, including the well-known Chilka dolphin.
  • Flamingo, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Spotbilled Pelican, Bar Headed Goose, Openbilled Stork, Spoonbill, Brahminy Duck, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveller, Ibis, Stilt, Heron, Egret, Avocet, Gull, Tern, and Kingfisher are among the migratory and local birds found in this wildlife refuge. White-billed storks and seagulls, and water critters like lobsters and crabs can be observed here. 
  • Chilika is well-known for its lake, but it also has a diverse range of floral species. According to recent studies, the Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 750 different species. The vast majority of these are threatened or endangered species.
  • Chilika Lake is known for being the country’s largest freshwater lake and for being home to various avian and aquatic species that can only be found here. Tourists flock to the area because of its rich biodiversity, making the lake particularly appealing. There are two islands in the lake that can be visited and provide beautiful views of the water and surrounding areas.

Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary

  • With five reserve forests, three proposed reserve forests, and two deemed protected forests spread across 400 square kilometres of deep and dense forests under the jurisdiction of Baliguda Forest Division’s Kotgarh and Tumudibandha ranges under the Kotgarh, Tumudibandha, and Daringbadi revenue blocks of Baliguda sub-division, the sanctuary is one of Odisha’s most important wildlife reserves.
  • There are many mammals and reptiles at the refuge and an aviary. Elephants, tigers, nilgai, chital, and wild boars live in the sanctuary. Peafowl, red jungle fowls, and peacocks can all be seen in the aviary. It’s known for its elephants, antelopes, and tigers. The sanctuary’s core faunal population includes Gaur, Wild Pig, Peafowl, Barking Deer, Sambar, Nilgai, Tiger, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Civet Cat, Four Horned Antelope, and other creatures. There is also a significant amount of diversity in terms of bird species. A great variety of vividly coloured birds call the sanctuary home. The refuge is home to invertebrates such as spiders, moths, and butterflies.
  • The Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, in the Baliguda Sub division. 
  • The woodland patch is located near a historic elephant trail that connects the Boudh, Karlapat, and Lakhani valleys in Gajapati district’s Gandahati waterfall region, making it a tiger haven. 
  • The main vegetation of the sanctuary includes extensive deciduous woodlands and meadows. The setting is surrounded by lush vegetation and has a tranquil ambience, making it a fantastic place to unwind. The flora is extremely varied. The 650 plant species are gymnosperms, bryophytes, pteridophytes, angiosperms, fungi, and lichens.

Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Karlapat wildlife sanctuary, just 35 kilometres from Bhawanipatna in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, is another tempting tourist site because of the babbling waterfall Phulijharan, which encourages tourism and serves as the best picnic spot for guests. 
  • The sanctuary spans 255 kilometres. 
  • Many wildlife species, including tiger, leopard, gaur, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, mouse deer, and various birds and reptiles, call this sanctuary home. 
  • Phurlijharan, a beautiful waterfall beside the river on the sanctuary’s edges, has been developed as a picnic destination for local visitors and attracts a bigger number of visitors from far away. 
  • The sanctuary’s undulated topography, with hills, valleys, permanent streams, and deep water pools, adds to its attractiveness.

Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

  • The Ushakothi wildlife sanctuary in Odisha was established in 1987 and covers an area of 285 square kilometres. It is 22 kilometres from the silk city of Sambalpur, on the NH6 that connects it to Kolkata. 
  • Neem, acacia, sal, sandalwood, arjun, and casuarinas are some of the trees that contribute to the floral diversity. The wood of these trees is widely used to make furniture. 
  • Ushakothi, in Odisha, is a fantastic haven for true nature lovers, animals, and flora. It is largely populated by tribal chiefs. These fascinating creatures that live deep in the forest make up the majority of the population; the list is vast, but Tigers and Panthers are among them.

Conclusion

Odisha is a lovely state in India’s south-eastern region, famed for its finely constructed temples. The South-Eastern state is also home to a diverse diversity of flora and animals, which may be found at the state’s several wildlife reserves. These wildlife sanctuaries are wonderful heaven for many genuine residents of nature, animals, and plants. The sanctuary is a well-known tourist attraction. The sanctuary also supports eco-tourism.