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Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary was established in 1976 and the total sanctuary area is about 745.52 sq.kms. This sanctuary is at a distance of 58 kms from Angul. About 10 kms to the south of the george at Purnakote and Labangi, Gharials have made their home in the Mahanadi river and this sanctuary was established primarily to protect these crocodiles, an endangered species.
The major attraction of the area is 22 km. long gorge (known as Satkosia gorge) of the river Mahanadi which divides the area into a two distinct parts accessible respectively from Angul and Nayagarh or Boudh.
The area supports moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forests and moist peninsular sal forests and is stronghold of tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, mouse deer, nilgai, choushingha, sloth bear, wild dog etc., varieties of resident and migratory birds and reptilian species (gharial, mugger crocodile, fresh water turtle, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes etc.). Major attraction df the sanctuary is the gorge, river Mahanadi, the Gharial Research and Conservation Unit at Tikarapada, hill slopes, various tracking routes and boating.
The sanctuary is also the abode of varied species of avifauna - Indian adjutant stork, red jungle fowl, Indian pitta and more. After covering a distance of about 30 kilometers from Angul, the road bifurcates. One goes meandering to the left and reaches Labangi while the other goes to Mahanadi River after crossing Purnakote. This sanctuary can be visited at any season of the year, but the ideal tourist season is from December to April.
For night stays there is a facility of Forest Rest Houses inside the Sanctuary. However, prior reservation form the Divisional Forest Officer, Satkoshia Wild Life Division is necessary.
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