Blessed with some of the rarest species, Odisha is one of the great wildlife destinations in India. Around one third area of the state is covered with Forest. Odisha has huge diversities in flora and fauna.
Indian Wolf(Canis lupus pallipes), Honey Badger or Ratel(Mellivora capensis), Leopard Cat(Felis bengalensis), Pallas's Cat(Felis manul Pallas), Marbled Cat(Felis marmorata), Fishing Cat(Felis viverrina Bennett), Leopard(Panthera pardus), Tiger(Panthera tigris tigris), Gangetic Dolphin(Platanista gangetica), Irrawaddy Dolphin(Orcaella brevirostris), Little Indian Porpoise(Neophocaena Phocaenoides), Asian Elephant(Elephas maximum Linnaeus), Mouse Deer(Tragulus meminna), Swamp Deer(Cervus duvauceli G.Cuvier), Blackbuck or Indian Antelope(Antilope cervicapra), Four horned Antelope(Tetracerus quadricornis Blainville), Gour or Indian Bison(Bos gaurus), Indian Pangolin(Manis crassicaudata Gray)
Endemic Birds Spotted in OdishaDalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus philippensis), Giant Heron(Ardea goliath), Adjutant Stork(Leptotilos), Lesser or Haircrested Adjutant(Leptotilos javanicus), Eastern White Stork(Ciconia ciconia boyciana), White Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia), Large Whistling Teal(Dendrocygna bicolor), White bellied Sea Eagle(Haliaeetus leucogaster), Osprey(Pandion haliaetus), Shaheen Falcon(Falco peregrinus peregrinator), Indian Peafowl(Pavo cristatus Linnaeus), Indian Skimmer(Rynchops albicollis), Forest Spotted Owlet(Athene blewitti), Malbar Pied Hornbill(Anthracoceros malabaricus)
Endemic Reptiles Spotted in OdishaIndian Wolf(Canis lupus pallipes), Honey Badger or Ratel(Mellivora capensis), Leopard Cat(Felis bengalensis), Pallas's Cat(Felis manul Pallas), Marbled Cat(Felis marmorata), Fishing Cat(Felis viverrina Bennett), Leopard(Panthera pardus), Tiger(Panthera tigris tigris), Gangetic Dolphin(Platanista gangetica), Irrawaddy Dolphin(Orcaella brevirostris), Little Indian Porpoise(Neophocaena Phocaenoides), Asian Elephant(Elephas maximum Linnaeus), Mouse Deer(Tragulus meminna), Swamp Deer(Cervus duvauceli G.Cuvier), Blackbuck or Indian Antelope(Antilope cervicapra), Four horned Antelope(Tetracerus quadricornis Blainville), Gour or Indian Bison(Bos gaurus), Indian Pangolin(Manis crassicaudata Gray)
Forests of Odisha are home to 7000 species of plants and trees including 120 species of Orchids. Many of these are commercial and some are medicinal used to cure people through traditional treatments. Teak, Bamboo, Sal, Haldi, Rosewood, Paisal and Sanghvan are plentily available in the forest.
Endangered FloraThe list of plant species entering to the endangered status is increasing by the day. The major causes underlying the extinction of species can be attributed to the loss or modification of habitats, targeted poaching or over hunting, lack of protection and natural or man-made hazards. Around 83 species of plants are under threatened and endemic categories from the state. Out of them Strobilanthes circarensis, Strobilanthes jeyporensis, Alphonsea maderaspatana, Uvaria uncinata, Lasiococca comberi, Pachystylidium hirsutum, Cajanus cajanifolius, Albizia orissensis, Habenaria panigrahiana var. parviloba, Dimeria mahendragirensis, Dimeria orissae, Oryza jeyporensis, Themeda mooneyii, Themeda saxicola, Eriolaena hookeriana var. viridis, Flacourtia Indica var. innocua, Homonoia intermedia, Aspidopterys tomentosa var. hutchinsonii, Cirrhopetalum panigrahianum, Eria meghasinensis, Hedyotia graminifolia subsp. arenaria, Tephrosia purpurea var. maritima, Liparis vestita subsp. seidenfadenii are considered as endemic to Odisha.
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, established in 2009 is the only biosphere in Odisha. The biosphere reserve has the largest zone of Sal in all of India. The elephant population of Similipal is the major surviving concentration of the Central-Indian population. Its unspoilt environs and tranquil surroundings bring travelers back to this place again and again.
The stunning mountains of Similipal are famous amongst wildlife and nature lovers. Numerous small and big waterfalls add beauty to the jungle. Around 1,076 species of vascular plants are found in the biosphere. Among them are 93 species of orchids, 300 species of medicinal plants and 52 species of endangered flora. The identified species of fauna include 12 species of amphibians, 29 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 42 species of mammals, all of which collectively highlight the Biodiversity richness of Similipal. Altogether, 1,265 villages are located within the biosphere reserve. Approximately 73% of all inhabitants are Aboriginals. Two tribes, the Erenga Kharias and the Mankirdias, inhabit the reserve’s forests and practise traditional agricultural activities.| Name | District | Established On | Total Area | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhitarkanika National Park | Kendrapada | 1988 | 145 km2 | Mangroves, saltwater crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, chital |
| 2 | Similipal National Park | Mayurbhanj | 1988 | 2750 km2 | Tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar |
| Sanctuary Name | District | Year of Notification | Total Area (km2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary | Sambalpur | 1962 | 304.03 km2 |
| 2 | Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary | Nayagrh | 1981 | 168.35 km2 |
| 3 | Balukhand Konark Wildlife Sanctuary | Puri | 1984 | 71.72 km2 |
| 4 | Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary | Kendrapada | 1975 | 525 km2 |
| 5 | Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary | Khordha | 1982 | 175.89 km2 |
| 6 | Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary | Khordha | 1987 | 15.53 km2 |
| 7 | Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary | Bargarh | 1985 | 346.91 km2 |
| 8 | Gahirmatha (Marine) Wildlife Sanctuary | Kendrapada | 1997 | 1435 km2 |
| 9 | Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary | Keonjhar | 1978 | 191.06 km2 |
| 10 | Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary | Kalahandi | 1992 | 147.66 km2 |
| 11 | Khalasuni Wildlife Sanctuary | Sambalpur | 1982 | 116 km2 |
| 12 | Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary | Kandhamal | 1981 | 399.5 km2 |
| 13 | Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary | Balasore | 1984 | 272.75 km2 |
| 14 | Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Ganjam | 1985 | 185.87 km2 |
| 15 | Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary | Khordha | 1979 | 14.16 km2 |
| 16 | Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary | Angul | 1976 | 745.52 km2 |
| 17 | Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary | Mayurbhanj | 1979 | 1,354.30 km2 |
| 18 | Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary | Nuapada | 1988 | 500 km2 |
| 19 | Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary | Dhenkanal | 1984 | 125.50 km2 |
Tiger reserves of Odisha are popular tourist destinations. There are three tiger reserves in Odisha and these reserves portray nature at its ultimate best. All these reserves have captured the interest of many environmentalist and wildlife enthusiasts. One can spot many species deer, monkey, jackals and elephants to name a few. On a lucky day, one can witness tiger as well.
| Area | District | Nearest Railway St. | Distance from Bhubaneswar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Similipal | 500 km2 | Mayurbhanj | Baripada | 300 km |
| Satkosia | 796 km2 | Nayagarh | Anugul | 150 km |
| Sunabeda | 2,750 km2 | Nuapada | Berhampur | 349 km |