Odisha National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Complete Guide
Odisha, located on India’s eastern coast, is home to rich biodiversity with 2 national parks and 19 wildlife sanctuaries. These protected areas cover approximately one-third of the state’s geographical area and house endangered species including Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, Asian elephants, and Olive Ridley sea turtles.
National Parks in Odisha
Similipal National Park
Similipal National Park is the largest protected area among Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Located in Mayurbhanj district, it covers 845.70 square kilometers within the larger Similipal Tiger Reserve spanning 2,750 square kilometers.
Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979, it became a national park in 1980. In 1994, it was declared a biosphere reserve, and UNESCO added it to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
Unique Feature: Similipal is the only place in the world where melanistic (black) tigers are found in the wild. Approximately 37% of the park’s tiger population displays this rare genetic trait.
Wildlife: Bengal tigers (approximately 40), Asian elephants (largest population in Odisha), gaur, chausingha (four-horned antelope), leopards, sambar, chital, barking deer, sloth bears, giant squirrels, and common langurs.
Geography: The terrain features undulating hills with Meghasani peak at 1,165 meters. Twelve rivers flow through the reserve, including Budhabalanga and Salandi. The park is famous for Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls.
Flora: 1,076 plant species including 94 orchid species. Vegetation comprises tall sal forests with patches of semi-evergreen forest.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Bhitarkanika National Park, designated in 1998, protects India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans. Located in Kendrapara district, it covers 145 square kilometers.
The park sits in the estuarine region where the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers meet before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Often called the “Amazon of India,” it hosts diverse mangrove species thriving in brackish water.
Star Attraction: World-famous for hosting one of India’s largest populations of saltwater crocodiles. Some measure over 23 feet in length. A 19.8-foot-long crocodile skeleton found here holds a Guinness World Record.
Biodiversity: Over 215 bird species including kingfishers, sea eagles, Asian openbill storks, black ibis, egrets, and herons. Wildlife includes water monitor lizards, king cobras, Indian pythons, fishing cats, leopard cats, spotted deer, wild boars, and sambar deer.
Conservation: Adjacent Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary is the world’s largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley sea turtles. Bhitarkanika was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002.
Complete List of National Parks
| National Park | District | Area (sq km) | Established | Famous For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Similipal | Mayurbhanj | 845.70 | 1980 | Melanistic tigers, elephants, waterfalls |
| Bhitarkanika | Kendrapara | 145.00 | 1998 | Saltwater crocodiles, mangroves, Olive Ridley turtles |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha
Odisha has 19 wildlife sanctuaries protecting diverse ecosystems across the state. Here are the major Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries beyond the two national parks:
Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary: 795.52 sq km across Anugul and Nayagarh districts. Established 1976. Famous for the spectacular 22-kilometer Satkosia Gorge where the Mahanadi River cuts through the Eastern Ghats. Known for gharials, mugger crocodiles, and freshwater turtles. Part of Satkosia Tiger Reserve since 2007.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: 346.91 sq km in Bargarh district near Hirakud Dam. Historical hideout of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. Home to endangered four-horned antelope, tigers, leopards, bison, hyenas, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species.
Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: 191.06 sq km in Keonjhar district. Established 1978. Forms part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve and links with Similipal Tiger Reserve and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife includes tigers, leopards, elephants, fishing cats, jungle cats, and pangolins.
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary: 175 sq km in Kalahandi district. Established 1992. Features the Phurlijharan waterfall. Protects tigers, leopards, gaur, sambar, nilgai, and various bird species including green munia.
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary: 272.75 sq km in Balasore district, linked with Similipal through hill ranges. Part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve supporting diverse fauna.
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary: 168.35 sq km in Nayagarh district. Established 1981. Adjacent to Satkosia Gorge, together forming Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Sal-dominated forest hosts tigers, elephants, and leopards.
Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary: 304.03 sq km in Sambalpur district. Established 1962, making it one of the oldest Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Features dry deciduous forests with sal, sandalwood, arjun, and neem trees.
Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: 193 sq km elephant sanctuary near Bhubaneswar in Khurdha and Cuttack districts. Houses Nandankanan Zoological Park, famous for breeding white tigers and melanistic tigers in captivity.
Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary: 1,435 sq km, the only marine sanctuary in Odisha. World’s largest nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles. Adjacent to Bhitarkanika. Witnesses mass nesting (arribada) of hundreds of thousands of turtles annually.
Chilika (Nalabana) Wildlife Sanctuary: 15.53 sq km within Chilika Lake, India’s largest coastal lagoon. India’s first Ramsar site (1981). Famous for hosting over a million migratory birds during winter, including flamingos from Siberia and species from Central Asia and Europe.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary: Over 500 sq km in Nuapada district near the Chhattisgarh border. Features rugged terrain with canyons, waterfalls, and plateaus. Proposed tiger reserve supporting tigers, leopards, and elephants.
Other Sanctuaries: Khalasuni (160 sq km), Kapilash (115 sq km), Kotagarh (399 sq km), Lakhari Valley (185 sq km), Balukhand Konark (71.72 sq km), Nandankanan (4.34 sq km), and Saptasajya.
Complete Wildlife Sanctuaries List
| Sanctuary Name | District | Area (sq km) | Established | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satkosia Gorge | Anugul, Nayagarh | 795.52 | 1976 | Gharials, Mahanadi gorge |
| Debrigarh | Bargarh | 346.91 | 1985 | Four-horned antelope |
| Hadgarh | Keonjhar | 191.06 | 1978 | Elephant corridor |
| Karlapat | Kalahandi | 175.00 | 1992 | Tigers, waterfalls |
| Kuldiha | Balasore | 272.75 | 1984 | Links Similipal |
| Baisipalli | Nayagarh | 168.35 | 1981 | Satkosia Tiger Reserve |
| Badrama | Sambalpur | 304.03 | 1962 | Oldest sanctuary |
| Chandaka Dampara | Khurdha, Cuttack | 193.00 | 1982 | Elephant corridor |
| Gahirmatha Marine | Kendrapara | 1,435.00 | 1997 | Olive Ridley turtles |
| Chilika (Nalabana) | Puri, Khurdha, Ganjam | 15.53 | 1987 | Migratory birds |
| Sunabeda | Nuapada | 500+ | 1988 | Proposed tiger reserve |
| Khalasuni | Sambalpur | 160.00 | 1982 | Rare birds |
| Balukhand Konark | Puri | 71.72 | 1984 | Coastal ecosystem |
| Nandankanan | Khurdha | 4.34 | 1979 | White tiger breeding |
Tiger Reserves in Odisha
Similipal Tiger Reserve
Designated in 1973 under Project Tiger, Similipal Tiger Reserve covers 2,750 sq km with a core area of 1,194.75 sq km. Part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.
Tiger Population: Approximately 40 Bengal tigers, with 37% displaying melanistic traits. Recent conservation efforts include introducing female tigers from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari reserve to increase genetic diversity.
Conservation Challenges: Around 10,000 people live in 61 villages within the reserve. Voluntary relocation programs have moved some families. The reserve faces threats from ritual mass hunting, forest fires, and human-wildlife conflict.
Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Notified in 2007, Satkosia Tiger Reserve combines Satkosia Gorge and Baisipalli sanctuaries, covering 963.87 sq km with a core area of 523.61 sq km.
Located across Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, and Nayagarh districts, the Mahanadi River creates the spectacular 22-kilometer Satkosia Gorge through the Eastern Ghats.
Conservation Status: Tiger population historically low (7-9 tigers in 2010). Tiger translocation project from Madhya Pradesh was initiated but later suspended by National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Challenges: Grassland degradation, scattered prey populations, revenue villages within core area, and corridor connectivity issues with Similipal.
Debrigarh (Proposed Third Tiger Reserve)
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary has been approved as Odisha’s third tiger reserve, though formal notification is pending.
Odisha National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Key Facts
- Protected Areas: 2 national parks and 19 wildlife sanctuaries covering one-third of Odisha’s geographical area.
- Tiger Reserves: Two notified (Similipal and Satkosia), one approved (Debrigarh).
- Unique Wildlife: Similipal has the world’s only wild population of melanistic tigers.
- Marine Conservation: Gahirmatha is the world’s largest Olive Ridley turtle nesting beach.
- Mangrove Ecosystem: Bhitarkanika protects India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem.
- Ramsar Sites: Chilika Lake (1981, India’s first) and Bhitarkanika (2002).
- Biosphere Reserve: Similipal Biosphere Reserve (4,374 sq km) is part of UNESCO World Network since 2009.
- Elephant Reserves: Multiple reserves including Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, and Mahanadi protecting elephant corridors.
- Best Season: Most Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries open October to June, closed during monsoons.
- Conservation Success: Nandankanan was the first zoo worldwide to breed white tigers and melanistic tigers in captivity.
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Odisha National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries PDF
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Odisha National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries: GK Quiz
Q1. How many national parks are in Odisha?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer: b) Two
Q2. Which national park is famous for melanistic tigers?
a) Bhitarkanika
b) Similipal
c) Satkosia
d) Debrigarh
Answer: b) Similipal
Q3. Bhitarkanika is famous for which species?
a) Tigers
b) Lions
c) Saltwater Crocodiles
d) Rhinoceros
Answer: c) Saltwater Crocodiles
Q4. In which district is Similipal located?
a) Kendrapara
b) Mayurbhanj
c) Angul
d) Khurdha
Answer: b) Mayurbhanj
Q5. When was Similipal added to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves?
a) 1994
b) 2002
c) 2009
d) 2015
Answer: c) 2009
Q6. Which is the world’s largest Olive Ridley nesting beach?
a) Chilika Lake
b) Bhitarkanika
c) Gahirmatha
d) Balukhand
Answer: c) Gahirmatha
Q7. How many tiger reserves are notified in Odisha?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer: b) Two
Q8. Which sanctuary is famous for Satkosia Gorge?
a) Debrigarh
b) Hadgarh
c) Satkosia Gorge
d) Karlapat
Answer: c) Satkosia Gorge
Q9. Which was India’s first Ramsar site?
a) Bhitarkanika
b) Chilika Lake
c) Satkosia
d) Gahirmatha
Answer: b) Chilika Lake
Q10. What is the area of Similipal Tiger Reserve?
a) 845.70 sq km
b) 1,500 sq km
c) 2,750 sq km
d) 3,500 sq km
Answer: c) 2,750 sq km
Conclusion
Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries protect diverse ecosystems from mangrove forests to montane habitats. From melanistic tigers of Similipal to saltwater crocodiles of Bhitarkanika, from Olive Ridley arribadas at Gahirmatha to migratory birds at Chilika, the state’s wildlife wealth is remarkable.
Conservation challenges include human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation, forest fires, and balancing conservation with community rights. Addressing these through community participation, scientific management, and effective enforcement will ensure Odisha national parks and wildlife sanctuaries thrive for future generations.
