Wildlife Sanctuaries of Odisha

The Simplipal National Park is one of the most well known tourist attractions that are situated in the state of Orissa. This wildlife sanctuary is often visited by the tourists who come to visit the state on a vacation.

The Simplipal National Park is located in the north-eastern region of the state of Orissa. This part of the state is situated a t a distance of 320 kms from Bhubaneshwar and 250 kms from Kolkata.

The region was declared a reserve forest for tigers in the year 1973. The reason behind giving such a name to the sanctuary is the massive growth in the number of tigers at this place. In the year 1972, there were only 17 tigers in the park, but by 1997, the total number of tigers increased to 98.

The landscape of this sanctuary is hilly and covered by woods. In the past, this place used to be a favorite hunting site for the Maharaja of Mayurbhunj.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park is one of the major places of interest that are situated in the state of Orissa. This wildlife sanctuary is one of the most well reputed sanctuaries of the state.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park of Orissa is located at a distance of about 17 kms from Cuttack, 2 kms from the railway station of Barang and 10 kms from the northern edge of the capital city of the state.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park at Orissa gives shelter to a wide variety of wild life. The total number of animals that are found in this sanctuary is 151, of which 49 species are mammals, 75 are birds, 36 species are fish and 27 are reptiles. At present, this park provides shelter to 327 tigers. There are 10 white tigers in the park.

Some of the most well known species of wild animals found here are crocodiles, ratels, pangolins, mouse deer, sambars, panthers, brahminy kites, blackbucks, hill mynas, chousinghas, small Indian civets and storks.

The Mahandadi Wildlife Division is one of the most prominent places of interest that are situated in the state of Orissa. It houses a variety of wildlife, which is the main attraction of the place.

The Mahandadi Wildlife Division at Orissa was established by the department of forest and environment under the state government of Orissa on the 12th of July in 1999. It is made up of four reserve forests, which are the Arakhpadarand and Padmatolain reserve forests of the district of Boudh and the Baisipalli and Mahanadi reserve forests of the district of Nayagarh.

The Mahandadi Wildlife Division is situated towards the south of the Mahanadi river. It comprises of two different sanctuaries called the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary and the Baisipalli Sanctuary.

The Ushakothi Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state of Orissa. This wildlife sanctuary is a must-visit for the natural lovers.

The Ushakothi Sanctuary of Orissa was set up in the year 1987 at Yavatmal at a distance of about 48 kms from Ushakothi. Due to its proximity to the place Ushakothi, it is called the Ushakothi Sanctuary.

The Ushakothi Sanctuary at Orissa is well known for giving shelter to a wide range of plant and animal life. There are various types of animals found at the Ushakothi Sanctuary in Orissa. Some of the most well known animals that live here are sambals, nilgaiands, chitas, wolves and leopards. Panthers can be spotted here. These animals are primarily nocturnal animals. To get a close view of these animals, one should hire a Jeep Safari. There are as many as 35 elephants and 15 tigers in the Ushakothi Sanctuary. One can view a sloth bear particularly at dusk when it comes to the river close by to drink water.

Satkosia Basipalli Sanctuary is one of the eminent wildlife sanctuaries in Orissa that vividly illustrates the diverse natural heritage of the east Indian state. All though the sanctuary does not fall under the category of the celebrated national parks or the other renowned wildlife sanctuaries of Orissa, the wildlife reserve's latest venture, the Gharial Breeding Project has attracted a lot of attention.

The Satkosia Basipalli Sanctuary is an oasis of idyllic green that sprawls across a generous expanse of 1330 sq. km. The sanctuary came into being in the year 1976 and is a hit with all nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and adventure freaks whose adrenaline rushes at the very mention of adventure. The sanctuary is also frequented by several scientists who are associated with the Gharial Breeding Project.