NATURE ODISHA

OUR PLAN

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About Us

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Chandan Jani

A sprouting wildlife biologist........... Wildlife has been my passion since my early childhood. My involvement with wildlife research and training began during my graduation. I did my bachelor’s degree in FORESTRY from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology and master’ s degree in WILDLIFE SCIENCES from Wildlife Institute of India. I believe in safeguarding and protecting the species at the first sight Then comes research. To me wildlife research is business of great dedication, if you can’t give your 200% effort then DONT WASTE YOUR TIME (do something else) and I believe in doing research which make sense and could be applicable in field condition. I am very keen in using various field equipments, analytical tools, and other advance techniques. I keep myself update all the time to be in a position to deal with some critical ecological issues. My special areas of interests are in: Herpetology, Ornithology, Plant taxonomy, Arachnology, Quantative ecology, Population ecology, GIS, Natural resource management. As hobbies, I pursue photography, horse riding, biking, gardening, painting, bird watching, music, web designing and working on electronic gadgets.

Sandeep Patnaik:

Its Sandeep Patnaik from Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. I am a developmental professional working in developing India. I did my bachelor's degree in FORESTRY from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, BBSR and then did my MBA in Rural Management specialization. I had keen interest in doing environmental studies and always love to be associated with nature and the people who are close to nature. I choose a profession which gives me ample scope to work with these poor, deprive and neglected section of people. Every day I see people fighting with hunger and striving to death. I always want to be a change maker. So I am I search of an alternative for these people which will make them sustainable in every sense of life. "

4. Chandaka

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comming soon.....

3. Chilika

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comming soon.....

2. Bhitarkanika

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About the Place:

The mangrove land “Bhitarkanika National Park” is important for its ecological geomorphological and biological background which includes mangrove forests, rivers, creeks, estuaries, back water, accreted land and mud flats. Bhitarkanika National Park is the core area of Bhitarkanika Sanctuary.The Sanctuary comprising Mangrove Forests meandering rivers, innumerable criss-crossed tidal inundated creeks provide last refuge to the already endangered salt water Crocodile (Crocodile Porosus).Besides the land of lush green mangroves, migrating birds and turtles, the menacing estuarine crocodiles, meandering water courses, tranquil surrounding intercepted by the chirping of birds and the ever embracing nature, entrails visitors from near and far off places to flock these unique places of tourist importance. It is the second largest Mangrove Eco system in India, Bhitarkanika is home to diverse flora and fauna. The diverse habitat of the park enable it to be a prime habitat of leopard cat, fishing cat, jungle cat, hyena, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar, porcupine, dolphin, salt water crocodile including partially white crocodile, python, king cobra, water monitor lizards, terrapin, marine turtle, kingfisher, wood pecker, hornbill, bar headed geese, brahmany duck, pintail, white bellied sea eagle, tern, sea gull, waders and a large variety of resident and migratory birds.

As Ramasarsite:

Bhitarkanika mangroves having an area of 2672 sq-km. been declared as a Ramasarsite being a wetland of international importance in the year 2002.

Major Components:

*Mangroves:-

The mangrove are specialized plants which can tolerate inundation and salinity. Many mangroves have stilt root, which are aerial and acts as anchoring structure to withstand wave action. 62 species of mangrove & its associates are found in Bhitarkanika Sanctuary..

comming soon.....

1. Similipal

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comming soon.....

* Wilderness Area

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comming soon.....

Faunal Composition

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The state has got 19 species of amphibians, 110 species of reptiles, 476 species of birds, 86 species of mammals. The state harbors a nice population of charismatic species like Royal Bengal tiger, Elephant and other animals.Surveys are yielding new records and even new species of reptiles and amphibians are being discovered. The state is a paradise for species like king cobra (snake) and various other herpetofauna.A few species thought to be extinct for nearly 100 years have been rediscovered from their original habitats.

Avifauna:

The state facilitates one of the largest wintering grounds for migratory birds, on the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in the country.Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as the Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Lakah, Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the Himalayas.

State Fauna:The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), formerly also called the Blue Jay. Usually found in open grassland and light forest areas. It is known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season. Males and females are however not readily distinguishable. The Indian Roller is a stocky bird about 26-27cm long. The crown and vent are blue. In flight the primaries and secondaries show bright shades of blue. This is a the state bird of ORISSA..

Sambar (Cervus unicolor), which attains a height of about 160 cm at the shoulder. The coat is dark brown with chestnut marks on the rump and under parts. The large, rugged antlers are typically rusine. Sambars are primarily browsers that live in woodlands and feed mainly on coarse vegetation, grass, and herbs. They are diurnal animals and considered as the state animal of ORISSA..

Floral Composition

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Odisha has a forest cover of 37.34% of the total land area. These forests cover most of southern and western part of the state. The forest cover of the state extends over an area of 58,136.869 square kilometres out of which reserve forests make up an area of 26,329.12 square kilometres (10,165.73 sq mi), demarcated protected forests make up 11,687.079 square kilometres (4,512.406 sq mi) and undemarcated protected forests make up 3,638.78 square kilometres (1,404.94 sq mi). Other types of forests make up 16,261.34 square kilometres, while unclassed forests make up 20.55 square kilometres (7.93 sq mi) of the total forest cover.Odisha has a diverse variety of plants and animals. Orissa's forests yield large quantities of teak and bamboo. Teak, apart from medicinal plants and kendu leaves contribute substantially towards Orissa's economy. Orissa's forest ecosystem has been greatly affected by deforestation and illegal smuggling and poaching. Recent surveys revealed an overall 726 species of flowering plants belonging to 496 genera and 120 families.This represents about one –fourth of the vascular plant species of the Orissa state where some 2900 species altogether are found. Fabaceae is the most dominant plant family followed by Poaceae and Cyperaceae. Certain species were found to be characteristic of specific islands. Important species identified are:

• Leguminosae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae

• Endemic cassipourea ceylanica

• Five species of seagrass

• Wild plants of horticultural importance and interesting plant groups such as insectivorous plants, epiphytes, parasites and lithophytes

• Mangrove associates, such as Aegiceras corniculatus, Excoecaria agalloch, Salvadora persica, Pongamia pinnata, Colubrina asiatica, Capparis roxburghii, Macrotyloma ciliatum and many others.

Orchids:

The state is a treasure trove for orchids. The moist, humid climate helps both epiphytes (growing on trees) and terrestrial plant varieties to flourish.There are about 130 species found in Orissa.The existence of orchids automatically establishes the presence of a rich forest zone because orchids are climate sensitive plants and do not survive in isolation. Apart from their beauty, orchids are useful for medicines, perfumes, and have immense commercial value. The flowers are exotic and stay fresh for a day.

State Flora:

The Ashoka tree (Scaraca asoca (Roxb.) is a plant belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae subfamily of the legume family. It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of the Indian Subcontinent and adjacent areas. The asoka is an evergreen tree. Its original distribution was in the central areas of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle section of the Western Ghats in the western coastal zone of the Indian Subcontinent. The asoka flowers come in heavy, lush bunches. They are bright orange-yellow in color, turning red before wilting. As a wild tree, the asoka is a vulnerable species.The bark of the asoka tree is used to make a drug, which is reported to possess a stimulating effect on the endometrium and ovarian tissue. The flower is considered as the state flower of ODISAH.Anthocephalus cadamba or Neolamarckia cadamba, commonly called Kadam is an evergreen, tropical tree native to South and Southeast Asia. The genus name "Lamarckia" is derived from the name of French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. The Kadam tree grows up to 45 m high. The trunk has a diameter of 100-160 cm, but typically less than that. Leaves are 13-32 cm long. Flowering usually begins when the tree is 4–5 years old. Kadam flowers are red to orange, occurring in dense, globe-like heads of approximately 55 cm. The fruit of N. cadamba occur in small, fleshy capsules packed closely together to form a fleshy yellow-orange infructescence containing approximately 8000 seeds. On maturing, the fruit splits apart, releasing the seeds, which are then dispersed by wind or rain. The tree is known as the state tree of ODISHA.

* Biodiversity

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Biogeographically being in Deccan Peninsular Zone the Biodiversity of Odisha is extremely diverse and gives the state a reputation for abundance of natural beauty and wildlife.

The districts in the interior are thickly covered by forests both of the tropical moist deciduous type as well as tropical dry deciduous. The hills, plateaus and isolated areas of the northeastern part of the state are covered by the tropical moist deciduous forests whereas the second types of the forests are located in the southwest region of the state. Some of the trees which grow in abundance in Odisha are bamboo, teak, rosewood, sal, piasal, sanghvan and haldi.

Never the less, the state is also importat for its wonderful marine coast, mangroves and wetland ecosystem. This diverse habitat of the state harbors a wide range of faunal composition.

* About Odisha

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Odisha has a history spanning a period of over 3,000 years. The state is not only important for its unique cultural heritage but also for its diverse species composition.

Neither the less the tribes of orissa is also an eminent component of the culture.

The word Oriya is an anglicized version of Odia, which itself is a modern name for the Odra or Udra tribes that inhabited the central belt (Angul, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Baudh, Balangir) of modern Orissa.

The unique wildlife species assemblage makes the state even important by harboring a wide range of biodiversity. Not only that, the diversity in the topography of the region has allowed distinct ecosystems to adapt and evolve in Odisha. Thereby giving Orissa a much sought after green cover and a distinct image on the map of India, dotted with 2 National Parks and 21 Wildlife Sanctuaries, for you to explore and enjoy on your tour to wilderness of Odisha.