Odisha has 2 designated tiger reserve. Here is the tiger reserve in Odisha:
1. Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in the Angul, Cuttack, Boudh and Nayagarh district of Odisha, India.
- The reserve is situated along the banks of the Mahanadi River and is nestled within the Eastern Ghats mountain range.
- The reserve is lying in a transitional zone extending between the Chhota Nagpur Plateau and the Deccan Plateau.
- In 1976, Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
- In 2007, Satkosia Tiger Reserve was officially designated as a protected area under the Project Tiger initiative.
- Area: The Satkosia Tiger Reserve covers a total area of 963.87 square kilometer. The area comprises two adjoining sanctuaries as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary. Core area of the reserve is a part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve.
- Core/critical tiger habitat : 523.61 Sq.kms.
- Buffer/peripheral area : 440.26Sq.kms.
- Total : 963.87
- River: The reserve is nestled along the banks of the Mahanadi River.
- Mahanadi River
- Tribe: Kondh tribe is one of the prominent tribe in the vicinity of Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
- Kondh Tribe
- Flora: Asan, Dhaura, Bamboo, Simal, Teak etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chowsingha, Bison, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Indian Pitta, Red Junglefowl, Indian Python, Fresh Water Crocodile, Gharial etc.
2. Simlipal Tiger Reserve
- Similipal Tiger Reserve is located within the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha in India.
- The Simlipal Tiger Reserve is named after the Semul or red silk cotton trees (Bombax ceiba) that are found abundantly in the region.
- In 1956, Similipal was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956.
- In 1973, the tiger reserve brought under Project Tiger.
- In 1979, Simlipal was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1979.
- In 1980, It was upgraded to a national park
- In 1994, Similipal Tiger Reserve area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India.
- In 2009, Similipal Biosphere Reserve is recognized as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program.
- Area: The total area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve is approximately 2,750 square kilometers (1,060 square miles).
- Core: 1194.75 square kilometers
- BufferArea: 1555.25 square kilometers
- Hills: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is located in the eastern end of the Eastern Ghats mountain range. The highest peaks within the tiger reserve are Khairiburu and Meghashini, which are twin peaks with an elevation of 1,515 meters (4,970 feet).
- River: Some of the prominent rivers that flow through the tiger reserve are:
- Burhabalanga River
- Palpala Bandan River
- Salandi River
- Kahairi River
- Deo River
- Waterfalls: Prominent waterfalls within the reserve are:
- Joranda Falls
- Barehipani Falls
- Tribe: Simlipal Tiger Reserve is inhabited by various tribal communities. Some of the prominent tribes found in the region include:
- Kolha
- Santhal
- Bhumija
- Bhatudi
- Gondas
- Khadia
- Mankadia
- Sahara
- Flora: Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (sal, asan, simal, mahua), Tropical Semievergreen Forest (garjan, haldinia, kusum), Dry Deciduous Hill Forests (sal, asan, amal, and bamboo species), Grassland and Savanna etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Hyaena, Elephants, Indian Bison, Sambar, Chital, Giant Squirrel, Jungle Fowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Mugger Crocodile etc.
- Simlipal has the world’s highest rate of black tiger sightings in the world. Black tigers were first officially recorded in the forests of Similipal in 1975-76.