Orissa is a land of vast, thick forests which cover almost 55,000 sq.m of land. The diversified ecological riches and environmental situation provide with excellent habitat for a very rich and diversified fauna. Wildlife is also very rich here. Orissa has around 13 wild life sanctuaries. These sanctuaries and wildlife parks are a great sources of attraction for the tourists.
NandanKanan Sanctuary: Amidst the lush green Chandaka forest along the banks of the Kanjia lake lies Nandankanan, a beautiful park that got its name from "Nandan Van" meaning the Garden of the Heaven. This famous zoological park which is at a distance of 20 kms from Bhubaneswar, was established in the year 1960 and has been declared as a sanctuary in the year 1979. The main attractions of this sanctuary is the white tiger safari , the first of its kind in the world, spread over an area of 12 hectares, a lion safari of 20 hectares and a natural trail of 37 hectares, the Botanical Garden which has many rare and endangered species of flora from different parts of the world, the 620 metre long Rope Way that transports the visitors across the lake to view the Botanical Garden, Boating facility in the Kanjia lake, Toy Train running on a circular track along the lake and the thickly vegetated tract, a Reptile Park and a Bird Sanctuary. It has worlds largest collection of White tigers and has the international reputation for successfully breeding black panthers , gharial crocodiles and White tigers, Asiatic LionSangai, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Penguin, Mouse Deer and many land and water Birds. . One can take the opportunity to behold the Kingly lions, Clouded leopards , European Bears , Himalayan Black Bear , Rosy Pelican , Grey Pelican, Indian Python , King Cobra, exquisite collection of birds, etc. in the Zoo. The zoo has also given a new lease of life to one of the rarest creatures of the world - the white Kanan. The Acquaria homes to a large variety of freshwater fish , a number of species of crocodiles , lizards, turtles and snakes . Buses are specially designed for taking people inside the Lion Safari, to facilitate them to see tigers and lions in natural habitat. The Botanical Garden, which is famous all over for its unique collection of Cactus lies close to the Nandankanan. This garden also contains plants of different types like crotons, roses, etc. There is a ropeway connecting the Zoo with the Botanical garden. It is an ideal place for picnics. Khalasuni Sanctuary : Khalasuni wildlife sanctuary is located in the Rairakhol sub-division of Sambalpur district. It is at a distance of 50kms from Sambalpur. It covers an area of 116 sq.kms. The Tiger, leopard, elephant, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, wilddogs, rare varieties of birds and reptiles attract the tourists. Debrigarh Sanctuary : With an area of 346.91 sq.kms. the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is located in the Baragarh district. One can track important fauna like tiger, leopard, hyena, bison, sambar, spotted deer, chousingha, resident and migratory birds, monitor lizard, chameleon etc. in this sanctuary.
Ambapani Sanctuary: The picturesque Ambapani hills present a panoramic view of nature. It is located 77 kms from Bhawanipatna . It is particularly famous for the deity of Budharaja in a small temple at the foot of a hill. A frolicking valley known by Haldigundi in this range of hills exhibits some peculiar features due to the reflected rays of the sun. This sanctuary inhabits Black Panthers, Samber and spotted deer.
Chilika Lake: The Chillka Lake is a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.Nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, Chilika is India's biggest inland lake. Spread over 1,100 square kilometers, stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri , Khurda and Ganjam , it joins up with the Bay of Bengal through a narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of Brackish water . Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island , Chilka is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. Encircled by hills all along its arched shape, Chilika lake's colour changes with passing clouds overhead and the shifting sun . The water ripples languidly, occasionally rippling with a gentle breeze across from the Bay of Bengal. Containing a large variety of fish, the lake provides a livelihood to thousands of fisherman. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake's blue expanse in search of sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colourful best .
Simlipal Tiger Reserve : This is one of the National parks of India situated in Mayurbhanj district in Orissa.It is spread over an area of 2,750 sq.kms and was chosen by the Project tiger for conserving the country's depleting tiger population. This park has within its boundaries about 95 Royal Bengal Tigers , leopards, elephants , muggar crocodiles and a number of Reptiles and 231 species of birds. The vast expanse and changing topography as well as the vegetational and climatic variations in Simlipal have been the major reasons for the successful breeding of the flora and fauna. The varied beauty of the lush green forests, mountains and valleys give an extravagant view. Jashipur, one of the two entry points to the park, has a crocodile sanctuary; the other entry point being Lulung. The best way to see as much as possible would be to take a package tour which would take in the Barehipani waterfall (399 meters) and the Joranda waterfall (150 meters), the lush grasslands of Bachhuri Chara, the Meghasani peak(1,158 meters) and the wildlife in the environs. Jashipur, one of the two entry points to the park, has a crocodile sanctuary; the other entry point being Lulung.
Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary : This is a stretch of beach that is used for breeding the giant Olive Turtles, who travel all way from Pacific Ocean to mate and lay their eggs. Every year, thousands of wondrous creatures are seen here. The Government of Orissa has made special arrangements in order to protect the turtles. This is also the harbouring ground for various kinds of migratory birds.
Baisipalli Sanctuary : Baisipalli wildlife sanctuary was established 1981 in the eastern ghats and rises from almost sea level to about 900 metres. It is situated at a distance of 60 kilometeres form Nayagarh and extends over 168.35 square kilometres. Apart from elephants and tigers there are also sambar, mouse deer and a fascinating variety of fauna including migrating and resident avifauna.
Satakoshia George Sanctuary : This sanctuary was established in 1976 and the total sanctuary area is about 745.52 sq.kms. This sanctuary is at a distance of 58 kms from Angul. About 10 kms to the south of the george at Purnakote and Labangi, Gharials have made their home in the Mahanadi river and this sanctuary was established primarily to protect these crocodiles, an endangered species.
Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary : The Chandaka elephant sanctuary, the first of its kind in India, was established in 1982 with a view to promote eco-regeneration of depleting environment. About 20 kms away from Bhubaneswar it is a dense forest covering 190 sq. kms. where around 100 elephant roam freely. There are a number of watch towers set for the visitors to watch these huge animals.
Hadgarh Sanctuary : Hadgarh wildlife sanctuary is located in the district of Keonjhar only ata distance of 20kms from Bhadrak on NH-5. It was established in the year 1978 covering an area of about 191.06sq. kms. Amidst the dense Sal forest there are leopards, wilddogs and elephants etc. The dam here is an ideal habitat for the muggar crocodiles.
Kotagad Sanctuary : Kotagad wildlife sanctuary is sistuated in the Baliguda sub-division og Kandhamal district covering an area of 399.05 sq. kms. One can see here the important species that include tigers, leopards, bisons, elephants,sambar, spotted deer, varieties of birds(peacock, red jungle fowl etc.) and reptiles.
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