Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

March 21, 2023

A 65-year-old woman was recently killed in a suspected attack by a Royal Bengal Tiger in Nuapada's Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • Location:
    • It is located in the Nuapada district of Odisha, adjoining Chhattisgarh.
    • It adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh
  • The sanctuary harbors a great diversity of wildlife habitats with a vast plateau, canyons, and 11 waterfalls.
  • It also forms the catchment area of the Jonk River, over which a dam has been constructed to facilitate irrigation.
  • Vegetation: The important vegetation of this sanctuary comprises dry deciduous tropical forests.
  • Flora:  Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Teak(Tectona grandis), Sisoo (Dalbergia latifolia), Asan (Terminalia tomentosa), Dharua (Anogeisus latofolia), Mahul (Madhuca indica), Char (Buchnania lanzan), Sandal wood (Santalum album), Sidha (Lagestroemia parviflora) etc.
  • Fauna:
    • It is an ideal habitat for the Barasingha (swamp deer).
    • It also works as a migration link for rare wild Buffaloes between the states of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
    • Other important animals found are tigers, Leopards, hyenas, Barking Deer, Chital, Gaur, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Hill Myna, etc.