Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha: Leopard Population Estimated at Over 70

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha, recently declared ‘Maoist-free’, is reported by forest officials as emerging as a promising habitat for leopards. Forest officials estimate the leopard population in the sanctuary at over 70 individuals.

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha):

Dimension	Key Details
Location	Located in Nuapada district of Odisha
Declared as sanctuary	Declared a sanctuary in 1983
Adjoining protected areas	Adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh
Terrain features	Vast plateau, canyons, and 11 waterfalls
Rivers and catchment	Forms the catchment area of the Jonk River (tributary of the Mahanadi River)
Dam and purpose	A dam has been constructed over the Jonk River to facilitate irrigation
Vegetation type	Dry deciduous tropical forests
Important flora	Bija, Teak, Sisoo, Asan, Dharua, Mahul, Char, Sandalwood, Sidha
Faunal highlight	Provides an ideal habitat for Barasingha (swamp deer)
Other fauna	Tigers, leopards, hyenas, barking deer, chital, gaur, sambar, sloth bear, hill myna