Toshali Sands

Sonepur: Call of the Wild

One of the greatest benefits of Orissa’s vast expanses of unspoilt, natural landscape has been its ability to offer a protected yet natural habitat to the state’s incredible wildlife. Apart from the Nandankanan Zoo and Sanctuary and Similipal National Park, there are atleast eighteen smaller sanctuaries which are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, bird life, reptiles and water creatures. Some of the most important experiments of wildlife conservation are taking place in these natural habitat, giving the tourists and excellent opportunity to see nature’s bounty, propagated in an environment that is as healthy as it is beautiful.

Nandankanan
A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar, the Nandakanan zoo lies n the splended environs of the Chandaka forest, along the rippling waters of the Kanjia lake. It also contains a hotanical garden and part of it has been declared as sanctuary.

Famous for its white tiger population, Nandakana, or the Garden of Dos, has become a hot family favourite, with visitors getting an excellent opportunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in their natural glory - in an environment conducive to their growth. Over 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds coexist in the deeply forested boundaries.

The zoo enjoys an excellent reputation internationally, for successfully breeding black panthers, gharial crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.

Gharial Breeding
For the first time ever, a captive breeding centre was created for Gharial crocodiles. This important task was also facilitated by the gift of an adult male from the Frankfurt zoo.

White Tiger Breeding
One of the rarest creatures in the world, the regal white tiger, received a new lease of life with the important research and concerted efforts initiated to try and breed them in the natural environs of Nandankanan. In 1980, on day full of excitement and jubilitation, the first little of white tigers were born to Deepak and Ganga, two normal twny tigers. Subsequent litters of white tigers have been distributed to zoos both at home and abroad. Currently Nandakanan is home to over 34 white tigers.

Endangered species such as the Asiatic lion, 3 Indian crocodiles, Shanghai lion- tailed macaque, Nilgiri loangur, Indian pangolin, Mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding successfully at Nandakanan. Some of the other attractions of Nandakanan are the 34 aquaria which are home to a large variety of fresh water fishers. The reptile parks cave-like water fishes. The reptiel parks’s cave-like entrance is guarded by a lifesize dinosaur. Inside numerous species of crocodile, lizards, turtles and snakes share the parks with natural ease. The rope-way connecting the zoo with the botanical garden over the lake, the boating facilities and the toy train for children have added new feathers.

Safaris
The white tiger safari, established in 1991offers visitors the heady excitement of viewing the rate white tigers from specially designed protected buses. The lion safari offers an adventures zing to the trip to Nandakanan.

The Chndaka Elephant Reserve
Only one of its kind, it is perfect for eco-tourism activities. Apart from the fabulous elephants Cheetal, Bear, Pea-fowl, Sambar and numerous other animals roam about doing their daily business unhampered.

Similipal Tiger Reserve
Myayrbhanj district is the home of one of the most important national parks not only in Orissa but also in the country. Spread over an area of 2750 km, the park was specially chosen by project tiger for continuing the onerous tasks of conversing the country’s deteriorating tiger population. One of India’s tiger reserves, Similipl has over more than 95 tigers within the lavish bounds of the sanctuary. Leopards, Elephants, Mugger crocodiles and numerous reptiles, over 231 species of birds, the people, the forest and water ways abound here in the part.

The vast expense and changing topography and the vegetational and climate variations in Similipal has been one of the major reasons for the successful breeding of the flora and fauna.

Similipal offers and excellent exposure to the delights not only of its wildlife, but also of its wonderful natural beauty. Scenic beauty of the lush forests, mountians and valleys is as extravagant as it is varied. The best way to see as much as possible would be to take a package tour which would take in the Barehipani waterfalls (399 mts) and the Joranda falls (150 mts), the lush grasslands of Brahurichara, the Meghasani peak (1158 mts) and the wildlife in the environs. Jashjipur, one of the two entry points to the park has a crocodile sanctuary; the other being Lulung.

Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
Located in the second largest mangrove forest in the country, the sanctuary has protected the estuarine crocodile since 1875. Located slightly further away is the coastal area of Ghahirmatha, where the giatn Pacific ridley sea turtles, travelling annually from as far way from South American nest by the millions. Special arrangements wee made to ensure their protection as the turtless were prayed upon by the local folk many years ago. The mangroves support a large variety of bird life…… Storks, Egrets, White Ibis, six species of Kingfishers, migratory ducks from Siberia and Hungary.

Tikarpara
The sight of one of the most fabulous vistas or river and forest, the Satkosia gorge where the great Mahanadi river crashes in with monumental force is a dizzyingly enervating experience for the visitors.

The meandering pace of the sensuous river, 22 kms of thick corest, offers scenic delight of the frothing, boiling water as it wends its way through the fabulous gorge, considered to be New Delhi of the most enhanting spots in the world. It is the ideal place for boating, angling and other adventure sports.

The gharial sancutay at Tikarpara is a must see for wildlife fans. Located at about 211 kms from Bhubaneswar and 58 kms from Anugl, it offers forest bunglow accmmodation at strategic places. If you want to camp inside the sancutary you need special permission to do so.

Ushkoti
One of Orissa’s smaller sanctuaries, it sill offers visitors a perfect opportunity to see elephants, tigers, panthers, sambars, from the watch towers, placed strategically near the watering holes or board a jeep. About 45 kms from SambalPur, the nearest forest rest house is at Badrama (3 km away).

Lakhari Vallye Sanctuary
Located in Ganjam, it has huge concentration of elephants and other wildlife. Black bucks abound in the Bhetani region.

Karlapat

About 35 kms from Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, on Bhawanipatna - Thuamula - Rampur road is karlapat, famous for charming wildlife. Tigers, Sambars, Leopards, Gaur and Chitals have rich presence in these forest tracts.

Other regions such as Debrigarh and Sunabeda are rich in wildlife too.

Chilika lake
Spread over an area of 1100 sq. kms., the glorious stretch of the Chilika is Asia’s largest brackish water lake. Home to thousands of colourful birds throughout the year, it is particularly noisly with the din of theraucous influx of migratory birds who descend on it from as far off as Siberia in winter. A real paradise for bird watchers, Chilika offers visitors a spectacular display of its colourful avian charms in a thousand different hues… the while-bellied sea eagle, the grey-legged gees, the peach coloured flamingoes, purple moorhen, jacana and Heron - all mingle in a furry of crested feathers and mind-blowing grace. The surrounding hills and sandy stretches abound in chitals, black bucks, monkeys, fishing cats, mongoose and porcupines and a dolphins population cavorting joyfully near the channel meeting the sea. Snakes and turtles, lizard and cobars inhabit the surrounding beach area and wooded undergrowth.

A number of island dot the expense of the take … Nalbana island, because of its varied flora and fauna form the core of Chilika sanctuary. Kalijai island is home to the goddess Kalijai and hosts a huge fiar on Makara Sankranti annually in the month of January. Maa Kalijai is venerated by the local boatmen.

The large fishing community adds local flavour to a trip to the lake. Their traditional colorful sail boats bobbing expertly across the waters, bring back memories of the ancient maritiem heritage of the Kalinga’s Sadhavas. The nicest time to visit Chilika is during winter, when the late reverberates with din of its avian population. Boats, to tour the lake, can be hired at Balugaon, Barkul and Rambha. You can persuade the local fisher folk to take you on one of their native wooden boats.

Satpada is another retreat in nature on Chilika lake, recently opened up to the tourists. Uptil now, Barkul and Rambha on NH 5 were the base centers for a visit to this largest brackish water lake in Asia. With the natural charm of being located near the confluence of Chikoka and the ocean and for its proximity to Puri (48 kms), Satpada is an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika lake. The thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter make Satpada a preferred place for a vocation with nature.