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Odisha General Knowledge: A Complete Guide National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Odisha is home to prominent botanical and zoological zones rich in flora and fauna.
1. National Parks
Bhitarkanika National Park
- Location: North-East of Kendrapara district.
- Established: 1998 (Area: 145 sq km).
- Details: One of the five marine protected areas of the state. Surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Flora & Fauna: Rich in reptiles, mammals, and birds. Trees include Sundari, Thespia, Teak, Salaia, Bamboo, Babool, Palas, and Indigo.
Simlipal National Park
- Location: Mayurbhanj district (320 km from Bhubaneswar).
- Established: 1980 (Area: 845.70 sq km).
- Details: Surrounded by deciduous trees and sal forests.
2. Major Wildlife Sanctuaries
| Sanctuary Name | Established | District(s) | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badrama (Ushakothi) | 1962 | Sambalpur | 304.03 |
| Bhitarkanika | 1975 | Kendrapara | 525.00 |
| Simlipal | 1979 | Mayurbhanj | 1354.30 |
| Nandankanan | 1979 | Khurda (Chandaka) | 14.16 |
| Baisipalli | 1981 | Nayagarh | 168.35 |
| Chandaka Dampara | 1982 | Khurda & Cuttack | 175.79 |
| Balukhand-Konark | 1984 | Puri | 772.00 |
| Debrigarh | 1985 | Sambalpur | 346.91 |
| Chilika (Nalabana) | 1987 | Khurda, Puri, Ganjam | 15.53 |
| Sunabeda | 1988 | Nuapada | 500.00 |
| Gahirmatha (Marine) | 1997 | Kendrapara | 1435.00 |
Note
[!NOTE]
Key Facts:
- Nandankanan is the only conservation breeding center for Indian pangolins in the world.
- Gahirmatha is the world's largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
3. Wildlife Reserves & Biodiversity
Elephant Reserves
- Mahanadi Elephant Reserve (2002): Spreads across Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal.
- Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve (2001): Comprises Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Sanctuary, and Kuldiha Sanctuary.
- Sambalpur Elephant Reserve (2002): Coast of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda.
Tiger Reserves
- Simlipal Tiger Reserve (1956): Mayurbhanj (2,750 sq km). Selected for India's first phase of Project Tiger in 1973.
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve (2007): Central zone spreading over Cuttack, Nayagarh, Angul, and Boudh.
Biosphere & Mangroves
- Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (1994): Located in Mayurbhanj.
- Bhitarkanika Mangrove: Covers 3,000 sq km deltaic region of Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers. It is India's second-largest mangrove forest (after Sundarbans). Designated as a Ramsar Site in August 2002.
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