Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary separates the National Park from the Bay of Bengal. It is inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani & Dhamra.
It hosts many mangrove species and is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
The national park is home to Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna.
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, National Park, Tiger Reserve
Simlipal National Park, Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.
It is located in Eastern Ghats and is listed in UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
It is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas – Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
The reserve also features two impressive waterfalls: Barehipani Falls, and Joranda Falls.
Vegetation: moist and dry deciduous forests, grasslands.
Major Fauna: Bengal tigers, wild elephants, gaurs (Indian bison), chausingha.
Major Avifauna: Hill myna and crested serpent eagle.
Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in the border of Angul and Nayagarh district of Odisha.
The Tiger Reserve is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a long gorge in the Eastern Ghats.
The area is also a part of theMahanadi ER.
Vegetation: Moist deciduous forests and riverine forest.
Major Fauna: Leopard, indian wild dog (dhole), sloth bear, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of Odisha
Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is the world’s largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (VU).
It extends from Dhamra River mouth in the north to Brahmani River mouth in the south.
It is very famous for its nesting beach for olive ridley sea turtles.
Badrama (Ushakothi) Wildlife Sanctuary
To the west of the Sanctuary lies Hirakud Dam (Ib river joins Mahanadi River in Hirakud Reservoir), and to the east lies Rengali Reservoir (on Brahmani River).
Principally dry deciduous forest type, floral species like sal, sandalwood, arjun, neem, acacia, casuarinas are of frequent occurrence.
The fauna includes, amongst others, tigers, elephants, sambar leopards and bison.
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Nayagarh, Odisha, adjacent to the Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a gorge in the Eastern Ghats.
Balukhand Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located along the Bay of Bengal coast, between the Puri and Konark.
It includes sandy beaches, coastal dunes, groves of introduced Casuarina plantations.
The sanctuary is home to a herd of Blackbuck and Spotted Deer.
Olive ridley sea turtles nest on the beaches.
Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary
It is an Elephant Sanctuary located in Khurdha and Cuttack districts.
It is bounded on the north by Mahanadi River. The Mahanadi River separates it from Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary.
There are two water reservoirs, Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam, situated within the reserve.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
It is bound on the north and east by the Hirakud Dam.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a Eco-sensitive Zone.
Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Keonjhar district of Odisha.
It is situated to the south of Similipal National Park and west of Kuladiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
It lies in the catchment ofSalandi River (a tributary of Baitarani River).
Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated near Cuttack between Mahanadi and Brahmani Rivers.
It is an elephant corridor.
It is classified as an Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
It is contiguous with Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh.
Major Fauna: Tiger, swamp deer, wild water buffalo (EN).
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kalahandi district of Odisha.
It lies within the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
Khalasuni Wildlife Sanctuary
It is adjacent to Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur district.
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Balasore district of Odisha.
The sanctuary is spread in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region.
It is linked with Simlipal National Park via the Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges.
It is classified as an Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
Ramsar Sites of Odisha
Chilika Lake Ramsar Site & Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
Chilika Lake is a ephemeral (not permanent) brackish water lagoon. It is a shallow bar-built estuary (partially enclosed coastal area of brackish water).
The western and southern margins of the lake are fringed by the Eastern Ghats. It is located at the mouth of the Daya River (that flows into the Bay of Bengal).
It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the India’s first Ramsar Site.
It sustains the livelihood for many fishermen who live in and near the lagoon.
Major Fauna: Green sea turtle (EN), dugong (VU), Irrawaddy dolphin (EN), Chilika limbless skink or Madras Spotted Skink (CR).
The Irrawaddy dolphin (EN) is the flagship species of Chilika lake. Chilika is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India.
Major Avifauna: White bellied sea eagles, flamingos, egrets, grey herons, storks, spoonbills.
Chilika is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea come here.
It was placed on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to siltation and removed from the Record in 2002 following rehabilitation efforts of the Chilika Development Authority.
Threats: Siltation due to littoral drift and sediments from the inland river systems, decrease in salinity and fishery resources, proliferation of freshwater invasive species.
Nalbana Bird Sanctuary
It is the core area of Ramsar wetlands of Chilika Lake.
It hosts thousands of migratory birds.
The island disappears during monsoon due to inundation, only to emerge again in post-monsoon.
Chilika Development Authority (CDA)
In 1992, Government of Odisha set up the Chilika Development Authority (CDA).
It was set up for the restoration and overall development of the lake.
The governing body of the Authority is headed by the Chief Minister of Odisha State.
Ansupa Lake
It is a freshwater oxbow lake formed by the Mahanadi River.
It is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha.
Endangered species: Indian Skimmer (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN), Wagur (EN), Indian River Tern (VU), Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu – VU)
Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Bhitarkanika Mangroves is a mangrove wetland in Odisha, in the Brahmani River and Baitarani River deltas.
It is part of the Bhitarkanika WLS. The core area was declared Bhitarkanika NP.
Gahirmatha Marine WLS is adjacent to the Bhitarkanika WLS.
It is famous for Olive Ridley Turtle (VU) & Saltwater Crocodile (LC)
Hirakud Reservoir
Hirakud Reservoir built across the Mahanadi River, is the largest earthen dam in Odisha.
It provides important hydrological services by moderating floods in theMahanadi delta.
Cattle Island is located in one of the extreme points of Hirakud Reservoir.
Satkosia Gorge
It is a gorge over the Mahanadi.
It is a mosaic of rivers, marshes & evergreen forests at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula & Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions.
The gorge is located within the Satkosia Tiger Reservewhich is a United nations Protected area.
Satkosia gorge is part of the Eastern Ghats. It separates the Chhota Nagpur Plateau from the Eastern Ghats.
Major Fauna: Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (CR), Indian Narrowheaded Softshell Turtle (EN), Tiger (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN)
Tampara Lake
Tampara Lake is a fresh water lake situated on the right bank of the Rushikulya River.
The use of explosives during a battle in the Ganjam district between the British East India Company and French colonists in 1766 created this large depression.
The lake is now connected to the Rushikulya river and helps in flood control.
