Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary: An Introduction
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary. This forest sanctuary is located in Sambalpur district of Odisha state.
About Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary
The main points related to the status, geographical features, wildlife, natural resources, extent and vegetation etc. of this sanctuary are written here:
- Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1987.
- It is 45 kilometers away from Sambalpur on No. 6 Jatiya Rajpath.
- Hirakud Dam is near it (to the east).
- The floral diversity includes trees like neem, acacia, sal, sandalwood, arjuna and casuarinas.
- The wood of these trees in the sanctuary is generally used in making furniture.
- In the west it is surrounded by Ghanch forest.
- The volume of Ushakothi Sanctuary is 304 square kilometres.
- Two rivers Wardha and Pongana flow through it.
- In ancient times, Mahamuni Basistha had built his ashram in the Ushkothi forest. Therefore Pongana River is also known as Basistha River.
Therefore, it can be said that Ushakothi Sanctuary, inhabited by tribal chiefs, is a real paradise for wildlife. A large population of strange creatures live in the shelter of this forest, these include tigers and panthers. Panthers are considered members of the genus Felis in some classifications. They are mainly nocturnal. Apart from these, there are 15 tigers, 35 elephants, chital and nilgai etc. animals in this sanctuary. Sloth bears are rare here and are seen occasionally.
Sambalpur.
Click here to read this article in Hindi.
