Sprawling over an area of around 176 sq. km. Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the district of Bhubaneswar in Orissa. Nestled on the Eastern Ghat of biotic region with hillocks and green plateaus, the sanctuary is treasure trove of bio diversity. Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its flagship species- Indian Elephant and thus also known as Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary since 1982.
The sanctuary is a well-known tourist destination for people all over the world. However, it is not only tourists that crowd Chandaka. It is also a haunt of the scientists and ecologists who come here to study the diverse nature of the eco-system of the region.
The sanctuary plays host to several different species of migratory birds. Black-headed Oriole, Red jungle fowl, Coucal, Crested serpent eagle, Peafowl, Paradise flycatcher, Great horned owl, and Stone curlew are amongst the numerous varieties of birds that call the sanctuary their home. The sanctuary also has a rich collection of reptilian-like form. Several types of snakes like the Common vine snake, Bamboo pit viper, Kukri snake, Russel’s viper, Common Krait, Indian bronze back are found in the sanctuary. You can also spot Indian flap-shelled turtle, and common skunk.
Barking deer, cheetals, mouse deer, leopards, langurs, sloth bears, Indian civets, mongoose, wolves are some of the other mammals forund here.
Besides rich fauna, the sanctuary is the home of varied species of plants such as sal forest, thorny bamboo brakes, teak, sunari, jamun, kumbhi, belo etc.. that adorn the landscape.
