Two national parks and the 19 wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha:
Simlipal National Park
Simlipal National Park is the largest national park in Odisha, covering an area of 845.7 km². It is located in the Mayurbhanj district and is known for its dense sal forests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs, and over 300 species of birds. Simlipal National Park is a popular destination for ecotourism and is open to visitors from October to March.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Bhitarkanika National Park is the second largest national park in Odisha, covering an area of 672 km². It is located in the Kendrapara district and is known for its extensive mangrove forests, which are home to a variety of unique wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles, dolphins, and olive ridley turtles. The park is also a Ramsar site, which means that it is of international importance for the conservation of wetlands. Bhitarkanika National Park is open to visitors from October to March.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha
Odisha has 19 wildlife sanctuaries, which are protected areas that are less strictly regulated than national parks. Wildlife sanctuaries offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in a more natural setting. Some of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Odisha include:
- Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary, 1962
- Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, 1975
- Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, 1976
- Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, 1978
- Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary, 1979
- Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, 1981
- Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, 1981
- Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, 1982
- Khalasuni Wildlife Sanctuary, 1982
- Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, 1984
- Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, 1984
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, 1985
- Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 1985
- Nalbana Bird Sanctuary, 1987
- Sunabeda Tiger Reserve, 1988
- Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, 1997
- Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, 1992
- Kapilasa Wildlife Sanctuary, 2011
- Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary
