Destination India

Orissa (PART-XI)

Wildlife of Orissa (2)

Chandaka Elephant Reserve

 

Chandaka elephant reserve is located in the Bhubaneshwar, were designated as an Elephant Reserve in August 1982. It is only one of its kind in India. The residents of the reserve are elephants, sambar, bears, wild dogs, pea fowls and pythons. The Sanctuary was marked out to check and restore the depleting forest cover which once covered Bhubaneswar. Conservation management techniques over the last two decades have revived the natural vegetation of the designated area which now supports a variety of wild life.
From a bushy cover that characterized the landscape before 1982, the diversity of flora today ranges from the semi evergreen, to the moist kangada forests, coastal sal forest, thorny bamboo brakes, planted teak and eupatorium scrub. There is a suffusion of medicinal plants and bamboo plants, with a few orchid species also thrive in the wet and shady areas of the reserve.
Among the fauna about 30 species of mammals, 27 species of reptiles and 120 species of birds can be sighted. Besides the elephant, leopard, chital, barking deer, mouse deer, langur, rhesus monkey, mongoose, sloth bear, wolf and hyena also inhabit the sanctuary. A variety of snakes, like the python, and the monitor lizard can also be sighted there. Mugger crocodiles have adapted to large water bodies within the sanctuary.

Deras Dam

Deras Dam is a small dam, used for irrigation purpose, situated within Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary. It is a very popular picnic spot and known for scenic beauty.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

 

 

 

The pleasant environs of the Hirakud Lake supporting a mixed deciduous forest provide a natural habitat to a variety of wild life in the Debrigarh WildLife Sanctuary, which stretches across the Lohara and Debrigarh Reserve forests on the Barapahad hills in Baragarh district. The waterfalls tumbling down the hill sides during the monsoon and the proximity of the large Hirakud reservoir attract a number of tourists.

Waterfall

 
The tiger, leopard, sloth bear, chital, sambar, and nilgai inhabit this almost virgin forest. Besides, a host of resident and migratory birds such as the chousingha and the crested serpent eagle add colour to the landscape. The mugger crocodiles and freshwater turtles residing in large numbers add to the diversity of the reserve forest.
Enclosing the Kamgaon and Lakhanpur wild life ranges, Debrigarh is flanked by the Debrigarh, Jhagadabehera, Lambipalli and Mundakati villages.

Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Ushakothi wildlife sanctuary is sprawling in an area of 285 sq kms. It is located at a distance of 22 kms from the silk city of Sambalpur on NH6 connecting it with Kolkata. The majestic Hirakud Dam lies on the west of the Sanctuary. This small pristine wildlife reserve is home for many wild beasts and serves as abode for numerous flora and Avi fauna. Its wild wealth and natural beauty make it a splendid location for ecotourism, tourists from distant locations flock here to witness this great biodiversity called Ushakothi.
The Royal Bengal Tigers and the wild Asian elephants are the flagship beasts of this sanctuary. Apart from them it also serves as natural habitat for leopards, bisons, Sambars, Nilgais, Cheetals, sloth bears and Wolves. Panthers are sighted occasionally here.
Ushakothi is home for a wide variety of fauna. The most impressive amongst them are the flying squirrels and racket tail drangos.
The forest cover of Ushakothi is primarily Dry deciduous. Neem, Sal, Acacia, Sandalwood, Arjun, Casuarinas are the common trees of this sanctuary.Wardha and Penganga are the main rivers flowing through this sanctuary. On occasions the wild animals of Ushakothi venture into the nearby villages following the trail of these rivers. The wildlife of Ushakothi is primarily comprised of nocturnal. Many watch towers have been erected on the prominent spots to allow the tourists to have an aerial view on the life of these wilds.

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary

 

 

Tikarpada wildlife sanctuary adds a new line of popularity in the land of wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha (Orissa). It is a beautiful place encloses the Satkoisa Gorge – a place where Mahanadi Plunges into Eastern Ghats. Visiting the amazing wildlife in Tikadpada Odisha (Orissa) is truly a memorable experience that is a home to a number of water-creatures, reptiles, wild animals and different birds. Tourist and wildlife tour enthusiasts come to Tikadpada wildlife Odisha (Orissa) India to enjoy boating, white water rafting, fish angling, trekking, and spending more and more time in lush green forest ranges. The Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre is actively conserving and breeding the endangered species of the crocodiles in the Mahanadi eco system in Tikarpada. Though tigers are rarely sighted now, the wildlife within the sanctuary includes the Indian adjutant stroke, red jungle fowl and Indian pitta.
Located at a convenient distance of 120 kms from Dhenkanal and 58 kms from Angul, tourists can proceed to Saptasajya, a scenic picnic spot. The Saptarshi and Raghunath temples in the vicinity are also frequented by tourists visiting the sanctuary.