Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, India adjoining Simlipal National Park

21°12′N 86°18′E / 21.20°N 86.3°E / 21.20; 86.3Area272.75 km2 (105.31 sq mi)DesignatedJanuary 4, 1984 (1984-01-04)Visitors6340 (in 2015)[1]Governing bodyMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of OdishaWebsitewww.kuldihatourism.com, www.wildlife.odisha.gov.in/protectedareas/ProtectedareasKuldiha

The Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Odia: କୁଲଡିହା ବନ୍ୟଜନ୍ତୁ ଅଭୟାରଣ୍ୟ is situated in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. The sanctuary is spread across 272.75 km2 (105 sq mi) in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. It is linked with Simlipal National Park via the Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges. It is classified as an Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forest ecoregion.

Description

Map
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15km
10miles
Joranda
O
Barehipani
O
Kuldiha
WS
Similipal
WS
Suleipat
WR
Bankbol
WR
Sunei
WR
Kalo
WR
Meghasani
HT
  
Important locations of Similipal Biosphere
WS: Wildlife Sanctuary, WR: Water Reservoir, HT: Hill Top, O: Other Importance
Note: Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Kuldiha was declared a sanctuary on 4 January 1984.[2] It is famous for the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve that spreads across Simlipal, Kuldiha and Hadgarh wildlife reserves.[3] Locally in Kuldiha, the elephant reserve is known as Tenda Elephant Reserve.[4][5] There is a watch tower at Garsimulia for tourists to view animals in the reserve.[6] The sanctuary offers night stay accommodation at Kuldiha entrance, Jadachua and Rishia in form of huts, tents and a few concrete houses.[7] It is usually closed during the peak monsoon season.[1] A major fire was reported in 2012 that engulfed both Simlipal and Kuldiha forests, causing significant damage to flora and fauna.[8] On August 2, 2013 (2013-08-02), the MoEFCC declared the sanctuary an ecological sensitive zone.[9]

Flora and fauna

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary map, green and blue colors show forest cover and water bodies, respectively.
Black-crested bulbul

The sanctuary is characterized by a diverse ecosystem, primarily consisting of a mixed deciduous forest where the Sal tree is the dominant species. This habitat harbors a plethora of wildlife, showcasing the biodiversity of the region. Among the notable inhabitants are tigers, gaurs, sambars, peafowls, and various migratory birds.

Tourism

Kuldiha is an integral part of tourism in northern Odisha.

Ecotourism

Odisha's government took recognition of the environmental damage being done by private operators to many parks, sanctuaries, and reserves, resulting in a sustainable threat to biodiversity. It came up with an ecotourism focus to conserve the pristine state of nature while making it economically viable with a PPP model. The Kuldiha sanctuary is operated in a community-based ecotourism model that benefits locals and tribesmen inhabiting the core area of the sanctuary.[7][10][11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Kuldiha Sanctuary Closed". The New Indian Express. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2015.
  2. ^ Ramakrishna; Zoological Survey of India (2006). Faunal resources of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Mayurbhanj, Orissa. Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. p. 3. ISBN 8181711149.
  3. ^ "Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve". www.simlipal.org. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Kuldiha Forest, Balasore – 350 kms [sic] from Kolkata". 6 June 2011.
  5. ^ Sharma, R P. The Indian Forester (Volume 122) (1996 ed.). University of Minnesota. pp. 927–931.
  6. ^ "Kuldiha- A less known Forest". 6 September 2009.
  7. ^ a b Udgata, Harsha Bardhan (November 2012). "Eco-Tourism Destinations of Odisha" (PDF). Government of Odisha. p. 49.
  8. ^ "Forest fire engulfs Similipal, Kuldiha areas". news18. 8 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Submission of proposals to the States for declaration of Eco-sensitive Zones." (PDF). Ministry of Environment and Forests (India). 2 August 2013. p. 3.
  10. ^ Raghu Prasad, R. "ECOTOURISM AND PROTECTED AREAS: CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY, PILOTED IN SATKOSIA" (PDF). TERI University. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  11. ^ "ECOTOURISM IN ODISHA". www.odishaecotourism.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  12. ^ Barik, Bibhuti (June 2015). "Private push to eco-tourism". The Telegraph (Calcutta). Archived from the original on 5 August 2016.

Notes

Approval from Himalaya Publishing House to use their academic report uploaded herewith for future reference.Kuldiha Fauna Report Approval

External links