In recent times, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has sought a status report from Odisha on the negative impact of tourism on the Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The reserve, situated in Bhubaneswar, is composed of two adjoining sanctuaries in central Odisha, named the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and the Baisipalli Sanctuary.
Satkosia Tiger Reserve
The Satkosia Tiger Reserve covers an area of 963.87 sq km and was identified as a Tiger Reserve in December 2007. It sits in a transitional zone between the Chhota Nagpur Plateau and the Deccan Plateau, exhibiting unique life forms from both regions. A range of flora and fauna can be found here, including moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, and moist peninsular Sal forest.
Wildlife at the Reserve
The reserve supports a diverse ecosystem, providing a home for a variety of animals such as Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Chousingha, Sloth bears, Wild dogs, and a variety of resident and migratory birds, reptilian species, etc.
Crocodile Conservation Efforts
A breeding programme for crocodiles was launched in March 1974 by the Orissa Government’s Forest Department, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In March 1975, the first-ever Gharial Research and Conservation Unit (GRACU) was established, which has since led the way in Indian crocodile conservation efforts. These activities include conservation breeding and the releasing and rehabilitation of reared crocodiles into the wild.
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary
The Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary got its name from “Sat-Kosh”, a seven miles long narrow stretch of the River Mahanadi. Designated as a sanctuary in 1976, it stretches across four districts in Odisha: Angul, Budh, Cuttack, and Nayagarh. The sanctuary is known for its Gharials, Mugger crocodile and rare freshwater turtles like Chitra indica and Indian softshell turtle.
Baisipalli Sanctuary
The Baisipalli Sanctuary resides where the Mahanadi River runs through a gorge in the Eastern Ghats mountains in Nayagarh District. Named after the 22 settlements it contains, this sanctuary was marked as protected in May 1981. A part of the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone, Eastern Plateau province and Eastern Ghat sub-division, the sanctuary features a sal-dominated forest and a rich fauna. This includes tigers, leopards, elephants, herbivores like Chousingha, water birds, reptiles, to name a few.
Other Protected Areas in Odisha
Several other areas in Odisha are earmarked for environmental protection. National Parks like Bhitarkanika and Simlipal are amongst them. Also notable are numerous Wildlife Sanctuaries including Badrama WLS, Chilika (Nalaban) WLS, Hadgarh WLS, Kotagarh WLS, Nandankanan WLS, Lakhari Valley WLS and Gahirmatha (Marine) WLS. Each offers a unique facet of the biodiverse state of Odisha.
