One of the greatest benefits of Orissa's vast expanses of unspoilt , natural landscape has been it's ability to offer a protected yet natural habitat to the state's incridible wildlife.Apart from the Nandankanan Zoo and sanctuary, and similipal nationnal park,there are at least 18 smaller sanctuaries which are home to a wide variety of fauna and flora , birdlife , reptiles and water crseature.Some of the most important experiences and experiments of wild life conservation are taking place in these   natural habitations giving the tourists an excellent opportunity to see nature's bounty,propagated in an environent that is as healthy as it is beautiful.

• NANDAN KANAN

Nandan Kanan (the Garden of Gods ) A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar , the Nandankanan zoo lies in the splendid environs of the CHANDAKA forest  , along the ripling water of the KANJIA LAKE.It also contains a botanical garden and part of it is has been declared a santuary.

It's famous for it's white tiger population .Nandankanan or the garden of Gods,has bocom a hot family favorite,with visitors getting an excellent oppertunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in thire natural glory-in an environment conducive to thire growth.

**  67 kinds of mammals

** 18 varieties of  reptiles

** 81 species of  birds

coexist in the deeply forest boundaries.

The zoo enjoys an excellent reputaion ,internationally,for successfully breeding black panthers , gharial crocodiles and white tigers in capitivity.

  GHARIAL   BREEDING

SAFARI

The White Tiger Safari , established in 1991,offers visitors  the heady exitement of viewing the rare white tigers from specially designed protected bushes.

The lion safari offers an adventurous zing to the trip to Nandankanan.

MORE  ABOUT  NANDANKANAN

Endangered species such as the Asiatic lion , three Indian crocodilians , Sangal liontailed macaque,Nilgiri langur, Indian pangolin, mouse deer and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding  successfully  at Nandankanan some of the other attractions of nandankanan are the 34aquaria which are home to a large veriety of fresh water fishes . The  Reptile park's cave like entrance is guarded by a lifesize tyrannosaurus inside numerous species of crocodiles, lizards,turtles and snakes share the park with natural ease.

The rope-way connecting the zoo with Botanical garden over the lake, the boating facilities and the toy-train for children have added new feathers.                  

PICNICS AND THE LIKE

Nandankanan's beatifully versatile environs offer the tourists a great opertunity to be advanturous or laid back......If you donot feel like tearing aroud sighting animals and watching the birds,you can settle down to a leisurly picnic and mid-afternoon nap under the trees .If you feel a little more energetic you can meander along one of their nature trail.

BOATING

Boating in Kanjia lake on paddle or row boats in the clear blue waters is an exhilarating experience.

BHITARKANIKA SANCTUARY

Located in the second largest mangrove forest in the country ,the senctuary has protected  the estuarine crocodile since 1975.Located slightly further away is the coastal area  of Gahiramatha, where the giant Pacific Ridley Sea Turtles, travelling annuallyfrom as far away from South Americe nest by the millions.special arrengments werw made to ensure their protection as the turtles were preyed by the local folk many years ago.The mangroves supports a large veritesof bird life..........storks,egrets,white ibis ,six species of kingfishers,migratory ducks,fronm Siberia and Hungary

SIMILIPAL  NATIONAL PARK

Mayurabhanj district is the home of one of the most important      national park not only in Orissa but also in the country.Spread over an area of 2,750sq.km,the park was specially chosen by project tiger for contionuing onerous task of conserving the country's deterioratingtiger population. One of India's tiger reserves. Similipal has over more than 95 tigers within the lavish bounds of the sanctuary. Leopards,elephants,mugger crocodiles and numerous reptiles abound here.Over 231 species of birds people the forest and water ways in the park.

The vast expanses and changing topography and the vegetational and climatic variations in similipal has been one of the mejor reasons for the successful breeding of the flora and fauna.

Similipal offers an excellent exposure to the delights not only of it's wildlife, but  also of it's wonderful natural beauty.scenic beauty of the lush forests and the mountains and valleys is as extravagant as it is varied . The best way to see as mush as possible would be to take a package tour which could take in the Barehipani waterfall (399 meters) and the joranda falls (150 meters), the lush grasslands of Bachhuri Chara the Meghasani peak(1, 158 meters) and the wildlife in the environs. Josipur,one of the two entry points to the park, has a crocodile sanctuary ;the being Lulung.

CHILIKA LAKE

Spread over an area of 1100 sq.km.,the glorious strech of the Chilika is Asia's largest brakish water lake.Home to thousands of colourful birds throughout the year, it is particularly noisy with  the din of the raucous influk of migratory birds who descend on it from as far off as Siberia in Winter.A real paradise for bird watchers,

Chilika offers visitors a spectracular display of it's colourful avian charms in a thousands different hues... the white bellied see eagle, the grey legged gees, the peach coloured flamingoes, purple moorhen jacana andand heron-all mingle in a flurry of crested feathers and mindblowing grace....

The surrounding hills and sandy streches abound in cheetals, blackbucks, monkeys, fiching cats,mongoose and porcupines and a dolphine population cavorting joyfully near the channel meeting the sea.Snakes and Turtles, Lizards and cobras inhabit the surronding beach area and wooded undergrowth.Large fishing community adds local flavour to a trip to the lake.

A number of islands dot the expanse of the lake ...Nalbana island,because of it's varied flora and fauna forms the core of Chilika sanctuary ...KalijaiIsland is home to the Goddess Kalijai and host a huge fair on Makar Sankranti  annually in the month of  January. Maa Kalijai is venerated by the local boatsme.

USHAKOTHI

LAKHARI VALLEY SANTUARY

KARLAPAT

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