MAHANADI WILDLIFE DIVISION, PHULBANI

Introduction: Mahanadi Wildlife Division was created vide Government of Orissa Resolution No 13060/F&E, dated BBSR, the 12^th July 9 in Forest and Environment Department. This Division was created specifically for proper upkeep and management of a part of Satkosia (WL) Sanctuary situated South of the river Mahanadi in Boudh and Nayagarh District and Baisipalli (WL) Sanctuary in Nayagarh District. The area of this Division lies under two district administration viz, Boudh and Nayagarh and the Divisional Office is situated at Phulbani. It consists of four Reserve Forests viz. Padmatola RF and Arakhpadar RF in Boudh District, Mahanadi RF and Baisipalli RF in Nayagarh District.

The Division consists of three Ranges, viz Chamundia, Kusanga and Banigochha with headquarters at Chamundia, Kusanga and Banigochha respectively. These Ranges are further divided into Sections and Beats as shown in Annexure-I.

Location: The Division area is situated South of the river Mahanadi consisting of Baisipalli Sanctuary and Satkosia WL Sanctuary South of the river Mahanadi.

The land schedule of the area is given below:

A-      Baisipalli Sanctuary: (created on 6^th May, 1981 vide Government of Orissa FF&AH Department Notification No- 8F(W)-116/81-25335/FFAH. It comprises of the whole of Baisipalli RF, which is divided into 20 compartments for administrative convenience.

Surroundings:

• North: Khalakhala Nalla and Mahanadi RF, Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary.

• East: Revenue villages- Dhipisahi, Gochhabari, Badasilinga, Makarprasad and Chilkipathara

• South: Daspalla Boudh PWD Road and Burtong River

• West: District Boundary between Nayagarh and Boudh District.

List of enclosure villages: 1.Beddary 2. Jankajhula 3. Baripaju 4. Senpari 5. Rekadi

This Sanctuary has been kept under the executive control of the newly created Banigochha Range with headquarters at Banigochha.

Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary South of the River Mahanadi  : Satkosia WL Sanctuary was created vide Government of Orissa FFAH Department Notification No 22727 dated 19.5.76. It comprises of the whole of Padmatola RF, Nandagadu PRF, Arakhpadar (B) RF Compartment No 1,2 and3 and 360.2 ha of Unclassed Forest in Boudh District and Mahanadi RF in Nayagarh District comprising of 17 Compartments. The Sanctuary comes under the executive control of two Ranges namely, Kusanga WL Range and Chamundia WL Range.

Land Schedule

Boudh District: The boundary starts from the junction of the River Mahanadi and Bodjore Nalla in Harabhanga Police Station of Boudh Sub Division and runs along the Nalla till it meets the Hatidhara RF boundary line and follows the same in a North Easterly direction till it meets the inter-district boundary line of Boudh and Nayagarh Districts and follows the same till it meets the river Mahanadi and follows the same along the inter-district boundary line of Phulbani and Dhenkanal Districts.

Nayagarh district: It starts from the junction of the river Mahanadi and Burtong Nalla in Gania Police Station of Nayagarh District and follows the same in a South Westerly direction till it meets the boundary line of Mahanadi RF and follows the same till it meets the inter-district boundary of Boudh and Nayagarh District and follows the same in a north easterly direction till it meets the river Mahanadi and follows the inter district boundary between Angul, Cuttack and Nayagarh Districts. The Satkosia WL Sanctuary South of the river Mahanadi has been kept under the executive control of two newly created WL Ranges namely, Kusanga WL Range and Chamundia WL Range.

Physiography: The area is undulating with hills and valleys, rising up to a maximum height of 779m approximately. Soil is fertile with sandy loam mostly. The entire area is dissected by a number of nallas, streams and rivulets draining into the Mahanadi River system, which finally drains into the River Mahanadi. All these are seasonal water courses.

Forest Type: The forest can be divided into the following classes as per Champion and Seth Classification of forest types:

1. 2B/C3 – Orissa semi evergreen Forest

2. C3/C2 – Moist Peninsular sal Forest

3. 3C/C3 – Moist mixed deciduous Forest

4. 4RS1 – Riparian Fringing Forest

Inside these types intermediate edaphic seral sub types like 3C/2S1 and 5B/E9 (bamboo brakes) are also found. There is no distinguishing partition line between these forest types. This can be ascertained only by going along a transect line in the sanctuary area.

Flora: Flora of these two sanctuaries is dominated by sal and its associates like Bija, Asan, Amla, Amba, Bahada, Kurum, Dhaura, Kochila, Harida, Palash, Kusum, Kendu, Limb, Oau, Panash, Rai, Sirish, Sisoo, Sunari, Bamboo and in addition to this a number of shrubs, climbers and grasses are found. Among the grasses sabai grass is an important member. Along with the above flora a number of gymnosperms, bryophytes and pterodophytes are also found which need documentation.

Fauna: Tiger, leopard, striped hyena, wild dog, Indian wolf, fox, sloth bear, sambar, civet cat, fishing cat, leopard cat, chousingha, chital, flying squirrel. Malabar squirrel, nilgai, wild pig, gaur, a small migratory population of elephants, gharial and magar crocodiles in the nallas, monitor lizard, turtles and tortoises, King cobra, pythons and other snakes, ray, hornbills, hill mynas, Brahmany ducks and different varieties of both resident and migratory birds.

Communication:The Sanctuary is well connected by VHF wireless system with fixed stations at Chamundia, Dhepasahi, Takara, Badmul and Kusanga.

Places of tourist attraction : The Sanctuary boasts of offering the following to tourists visiting the area:

1. Calm picturesque hills surrounding the deep blue waters of the River Mahanadi

2. Beautiful stretches of sandy river banks with hanging tree branches

3. For the adventurous and Wildlife Lovers!!! - viewing of wild reptiles like muggers, gharials and water monitor lizards - a common sight

4. Colourful bird, insect and orchid population

5. Sighting of the majestic OSPREY - (Fishing hawk)

6. Watching resident and migratory birds

7. Natural picnic spots

8. Hikers paradise

9. Tribal artifacts and tattooing—a feature of tribal hamlets

10. Boating in river Mahanadi

Visitors can find accommodation at the following places:

Charichhak: Forest Rest House

Sitalpani: PWD Rest Shed

Kuturi: PWD Rest Shed

Badmul: Irrigation Rest Shed

Chamundia: Forest Rest House

Kusanga: Forest Rest Shed

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