Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the state of Odisha, India. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity and serves as a habitat for various wildlife species. It is located in the eastern part of India.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its varied fauna, including mammals like tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs (Indian bison), sambar deer, spotted deer, peafowl, and herpestes (mongooses). The sanctuary is especially famous for its population of four-horned antelope (Chousingha).
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity in the region and is part of proposed elephant corridors to facilitate the safe movement of elephants in search of food and water.
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Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Location
The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Baliguda subdivision of Kandhamal district in the state of Odisha, India.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport to Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is Bhubaneswar Airport (Biju Patnaik International Airport), which is approximately 291 kilometers away by road.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:
The nearest railway station to Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is Berhampur Railway Station. However, please note that the railway station may still be some distance away from the sanctuary, and you would need to continue your journey by road from the railway station to reach the sanctuary.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary History
Here's a brief overview of its history:
Establishment and Notification: Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary was officially notified as a wildlife sanctuary on 3rd December 1981. This notification marked its establishment as a protected area under Indian wildlife laws. The sanctuary was established to conserve the rich biodiversity found in the region.
Local Communities: The sanctuary is located in a region inhabited by several tribal communities, including the Kutia Kondh and Desia Kondh. These communities have traditionally lived in close proximity to the sanctuary and have had some interactions with the wildlife within it.
Proposed Elephant Corridors: Kotgarh is nominated to be a part of proposed elephant corridors to facilitate the safe movement of elephants that often venture out of their natural habitats in search of food and water. These corridors are essential for maintaining the ecological balance and preventing conflicts between elephants and human settlements.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Area
The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 399.05 square kilometers (154.12 square miles).
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Tribe
The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several tribal communities, including the Kutia Kondh and Desia Kondh. These tribal communities have traditionally inhabited the region surrounding the sanctuary.
These tribes have their own unique cultures, languages, and ways of life, and they have been living in close proximity to the sanctuary for generations.
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse flora. The main vegetation in the sanctuary consists of dense moist deciduous forests along with grasslands. Here are some of the prominent flora species found in the Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Sal (Shorea robusta)
- Piasal
- Sisoo (Dalbergia sissoo)
- Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon)
- Gamhar (Gmelina arborea)
- Asan (Terminalia tomentosa)
- Kusum (Schleichera oleosa)
- Mahua (Madhuca longifolia)
- Bamboo
- Mango (Mangifera indica)
- Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
- Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
- Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
- Teak (Tectona grandis)
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)
Which animal is Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary famous for?
The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse fauna, including a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Here is a list of some of the prominent fauna species found in the Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
Mammals:
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Gaur
- Elephant
- Sambar Deer
- Spotted Deer
- Four-Horned Antelope (Chousingha)
- Jackal
- Sloth Bear
- Pangolin
- Porcupine
- Large Squirrel
- Mongooses
Birds:
- Peafowl
- Red Junglefowl
Reptiles:
- Monitor Lizard
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions
Q. In which district is Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary?
A. The Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kandhamal district of the state of Odisha, India.
Q. What is Kotagarh wildlife sanctuary famous for?
A. Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, India, is primarily famous for its rich biodiversity and its role in conserving various wildlife species and their habitats. Here are some key reasons why Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is famous:
(i) Diverse Fauna: The sanctuary is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including mammals like tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, spotted deer, and various species of birds and reptiles. It is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
(ii) Four-Horned Antelope (Chousingha): The sanctuary is particularly famous for being home to the four-horned antelope, also known as Chousingha. This unique and rare antelope species is a main attraction for visitors.
(iii) Biodiversity: Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary boasts a wide variety of plant species, including valuable hardwood trees like Sal and Teak. It is also home to numerous medicinal and edible plant species.
(iv) Tribal Communities: The sanctuary is surrounded by tribal communities like the Kutia Kondh and Desia Kondh. These communities have traditional knowledge of the area's biodiversity and are an integral part of the sanctuary's cultural landscape.
(v) Proposed Elephant Corridors: Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is nominated to be part of proposed elephant corridors, facilitating the safe movement of elephants in search of food and water. These corridors are essential for elephant conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
(vi) Natural Beauty: The sanctuary's landscape, with its forests, grasslands, and hills, offers natural beauty and picturesque vistas for nature lovers and trekkers.
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