Orissa Wildlife

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary :

Tikarpada is a small village in the Angul District of Orissa, where River Mahanadi meets the Eastern Ghats, Or distance of 200 kms from the temple city of Bhubaneshwar in the Indian state of Orissa. The sanctuary has been famous for its scenic beauty that surrounds it. The Tikarpada wildlife sanctuary has a number of Gharials and other animals. The sanctuary is thus also known as Gharial sanctuary. It also houses other animals like snakes, crocodiles and fresh water turtles and tigers. Other faunal species include Indian adjutant stroke, Indian pitta, rhesus macaques, elephants, leopards, wild cats, spotted deer, pangolins and red jungle fowl. A number of migratory birds can be found here. The Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the Gharials. The sanctuary was established to preserve these endangered species. The ecosystem of Mahanadi was perfect for the survival of these animals.The Gharial Sanctuary located in Tikarpada houses many species of Gharials, which resemble crocodiles with long crocodiles. This sanctuary breeds gharials that may one day be released into their natural ecosystem – the Mahanadi River. The Gharial Sanctuary in Tikarpada also houses turtles, crocodiles and snakes. Bird watching is a popular activity that you can pursue in Tikarpada. The best time to visit this sanctuary is between the months of October to March.

Nandankanan National Park :

Nandankanan is a national park located in the State of Orissa , or 20 kms from Bhubaneshwar . Nandankanan is the first zoological park to become a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Nandankanan literally means the “Garden of Pleasure.” It was established in 1960 and serves as an open sanctuary as well as a zoo. It also has a botanical garden that is located within the premises. The national park is known for its population of white tigers and it is one of the few zoos in the country to have a substantial white tiger population. It is also home to 43 different species of mammals and 23 varieties of reptiles.Sprawling across the tranquil Chandaka forests, where Nature can be discovered in full groove. Being the very first captive gharial breeding centre of the country, this picturesque park offers a unique opportunity to its flora and fauna to flourish in their most natural habitat.

The zoo is also known for its breeding program. The program has been successful in breeding panthers, tigers, gharial crocodiles and other animals. A unique feature of the zoo is the adopting an animal program. People can adopt six endangered species such as white tiger, orangutan, rhinoceros and a few other animals.

Chandaka Elephant Reserve :

The Chandaka Elephant Reserve is located in north western fringe of Bhubaneswar in the Indian state of Odisha(Orissa). It is only one of its kind in India. Nestled on Khurdha uplands of ‘Eastern Ghats’ biotic region, Chandaka forest covers a huge area of 193.39 sq. km. and is situated on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in the Khurda Uplands were designated as the elephant reserve in August 1982.

The reserve is a home to a total of 30 varieties of mammals, 27 varieties of reptiles and 120 varieties of birds. You can also find here the species of elephant, leopard, chital, barking deer, mouse deer, langur, rhesus monkey, mongoose, sloth bear, wolf and hyena, among others. Apart from that, the varieties of snakes like the python and the monitor lizard are available here. Among others inhabitants here, are the Mugger crocodiles, water birds, mainly storks, heron, egrets and cormorants.Kamarkhunti reservoir here in the forest is a breeding area for the Garganey and common teal, pin tail, white eyed Pochard, spot billed Duck and many others. You can find a wonderful sanctuary view from the watch towers at Kochilaberana, Pitagodia and Charichhak.

Chandaka Watch Tower Viewing the animals unnoticed when they are busy leading their own life is a luxury which seasoned wildlife experts have access to. To provide the same virgin experience to eco tourists many watch towers have been constructed in the forests periphery. The best time to visit the region is between November to May. Special Attractions of Chandaka.

Simlipal National Park :

Simlipal National Park is located at the center of Mayurbhanj district in the North-Eastern part of Odisha. It is situated at a distance of 250 km from Kolkata and 320 km from Bhubaneswar. Surrounded by deciduous trees and Sal forests, Simplipal National Park has 12 rivers running across it. Characterized by thick wooden slopes, ridges, luxuriant grassland and beautiful waterfalls; the park is nestled amidst picturesque hills. A wide array of plants as many as 501 species are housed at the park, out of which 82 species are of Orchids. The Park is a viable source for countless medicinal and aromatic plants also.

Simlipal is the ideal location to understand and enjoy the life and culture of the tribal society of Orissa. The tourists can interact with the tribe populace and participate in their festivities and customs.During summers, the temperature is very high (around 40°C) whereas during the winter it falls to about 14°C. The monsoon season brings moderate to very heavy rainfall.

This sprawling ecosystem, thanks to the mega conservation efforts, has close to a 100 tigers. Other mammalian species like leopards, sambhars, langurs, deer, gaur (Indian bison), elephants, antelopes, chitals, chevrotains, wild dog, wild boar, sloth bears, monkeys, hyenas and porcupines are also found here. There are around 230 species of birds in these forests. The ones officially recorded include the red jungle fowl, hill myna, peafowl, alexandrine parakeet, crested serpent eagle, gray hornbill, Indian pied hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill and Indian trogon.

Chilka Lake :

Chilika is popularly known as the biggest Brackish water lake on the eastern coast of Orissa, Chilka Lake is one of the most sought after tourist attractions near the holy city of Puri. The source of the lake is the Mahanadi River, which drains into it. Chilika Lake is one of the largest lakes in not only India, but also Asia and stretches over an area of 1,100 sq km. It is a very popular picnic spot and provides ample opportunities for boating, fishing and bird watching. If you just want to relax and soak the sunrays, this is the perfect place for you. It is a habitat to some biodiversity, the Dolphins and a wide variety of migratory birds being the major components. It is comprising of wetlands and shallow water, depth of which is dependent on the tide condition. There are many islands within it with their own attractions/spots, with the Kalijai being the most revered temple with its own legend.In winter Chilika aflutters with thousands of indigenous and migratory birds of many varieties from far and near – even from the distant Siberia. The fabulous beauty of Chilika which has inspired poets to sing its glory and which can be best enjoyed from Balugaon, Barkul, Rambha and Satpada must be seen to be believed.Queen of natural beauty, Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia covering an area of over 1,100 sq. km is a great attraction for the tourists for fishing, bird watching and boating. If you just want to relax and soak the sunrays, this is the perfect place for you.

Khandagiri & Udaigiri Caves :

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Orissa, India. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out huge residential blocks for the Jain monks, during the reign of King Kharavela.A few km west of Bhubaneswar city centre are two hills, facing each other, honeycombed with caves, most of which are numbered. One of them is the Khandagiri caves, situated on a hillside about 6-km from Bhubaneswar. The sandstone caves were excavated by Khandagiri CavesJain and Buddhist ascetics from the 1st century BC.Udaigiri is situated 5 kms from Ratnagiri, the remains of a sprawling monastery has been recently excavated, that can be reached through a long stairway. Rock-cut sculptures adorn the hilltop.

Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Orissa, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvat in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri means “Sunrise Hill” and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena or leṇa in the inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery.