Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Odisha | 22 Oct 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Odisha Government has decided to relocate around 420 families from four zero-connectivity villages in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary.

• The relocation is aimed at reducing man-animal conflict and providing better living conditions to the displaced families.

Key Points

• Location:
  
  • It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha near Hirakud dam (Mahanadi River) and covers an area of 346.91 square kilometers.
  • It is bounded on the east and north by the huge Hirakud reservoir.
  • It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 8^th February 1985.
  • It is an important site for in situ conservation of wildlife and its habitat in the state of Odisha
• Biodiversity:
  
  • Flora:
    
    • Dry deciduous forests
  • Fauna:
    
    • Four-horned antelope, Indian leopard, Indian elephant, sambar, chital, gaur, etc.
• Major Protected Areas in Odisha:
  
  • National Parks:
    
    • Bhitarkanika National Park
    • Simlipal National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries:
    
    • Badrama WLS
    • Chilika (Nalaban island) WLS
    • Hadgarh WLS
    • Baisipalli WLS
    • Kotagarh WLS
    • Nandankanan WLS
    • Lakhari Valley WLS
    • Gahirmatha (Marine) WLS

Source: DTE