The Chandaka Elephant reserves were formed in the year 1982 to check the depleting forests Chandaka which were once spread till Bhubaneshwar. The reserve is today spread over an area of 176 sq kms.
Watch towers have been erected by the forest department inside the reserve to enable the tourists to view these majestic largest mammals on land performing their nocturnal activities. Like other creatures of the wild the elephants are also active during the nights, their glimpse during the wee hours of the night presents a breath taking experience. Chital, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Wild pig, Common langur, Rhesus monkey, small Indian civet, Common Indian mongoose, Small Indian mongoose, Ruddy mongoose, Pangolin, Sloth bear, Indian wolf and Hyena are the other important creatures of the reserve. Rock python, Bengal Monitor lizard, Chameleon, Common skink, Indian flap shell turtle, Russel's viper, Bamboo pit viper, Common krait, Common vine snake, Kukri snake, Indian bronze back are the prominent members of reptilie family of Chandaka. Many migratory birds visit the reserve during the winters. The areas near the Kamarkunthi reservoir are the locations where these guests can be sighted commonly during their wintering period. Garganey, common Teal, Pintail, spot billed, bramhiny Duck and white eyed Pochard are the significant migratory birds visiting Chandaka. The reserve is also the home for many species of resident birds which includes the Lesser whistling Teal, Dabehick, Cotton Teal, Nakta, lesser Cormorant, bronze winged Jacana, white breasted Waterhen, pied, little blue King fishers and red wattled Lapwings. The other significant avi fauna present in the reserve includes Peafowl, Red jungle fowl, Crested serpent eagle, Great horned owl, Black headed oriole, Paradise fly catcher, Coucal and stone curlew. Folk of colorfull butterflies arrive in the reserve with the onset of monsoons.
Flora of Chandaka Elephant Reserve
The main trees found in the forests of Chandaka are the Kochila, Kalicha, Belo, Kangada, Giringa, Sunari, Sal, Kumbhi, Jamu, Karanja, Teak and Sidha. This reserve is known for the plants possessing immense medicinal properties. The significant amongst them are Duramari, Baidanka, Brudhadaraka, Bhuinlimbo, Guluchi lata, Salparni, Satabari, Bhuin-kakharu, Indrajaba, Thalkudi, Apamaranga, Kurchi, Patalgaruda etc.
Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve
The forests of Simlipal, Kuldiha and Hadgarh were brought under one segment to constitute the Mayurbhanj elephnat reserve in the year 2004. The giant male elephants with long tusks are the prime attractions of the newly founded reserve. To see these mammoth creatures grazing the jungles in their large herd will fill your heart with inexplicale pleasures.
The shrinking size of the forests, poaching and hunting and illegal acquisitions of the forest land by the nearby villagers is a threat to this wildlife reserve. These are not only a great source of revenues generated through the tourism but hold beneath treasures of immense ecological and biological value.
The shrinking size of the forests, poaching and hunting and illegal acquisitions of the forest land by the nearby villagers is a threat to this wildlife reserve. These are not only a great source of revenues generated through the tourism but hold beneath treasures of immense ecological and biological value.
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