Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

About the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is located in the Nuapada district of Odisha, adjoining Chhattisgarh.
• It is spread over a sprawling area of 600 sq. km. It was declared a sanctuary in 1983.
• It adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh. 
• The sanctuary harbours a great diversity of wildlife habitats, with a vast plateau, canyons, and 11 waterfalls.
• It also forms the catchment area of the Jonk River (a tributary of the Mahanadi 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, Teak, Sisoo, Asan, Dharua, Mahul, Char, Sandalwood, Sidha, etc.
• Fauna:
  • It is an ideal habitat for the Barasingha (swamp deer).
  • Other important animals found are tigers, Leopards, hyenas, Barking Deer, Chital, Gaur, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Hill Myna, etc.
  • It also works as a migration link for rare wild Buffaloes between the states of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.