BEACHES| TEMPLES FESTIVALS HANDICRAFTS DANCES

Orissa encompasses one of the most picturesquee species reserve of Big Cats of the world, "The Royal Bengal Tiger" in Similipal. It also houses one of the largest collection of Estuarine crocodiles, adding to it a variety of brids in the Mangroove forest of "Bhitar Kanika Sanctuary.". The "Gahiramatha Sanctuary" the home for the fast dwindling species of Olive Ridleys Turtles, who come down all the way from Pacific Ocean to breed and lay eggs here. There is also a Dolphin Reserve at Satapada on Chilika which houses huge collection of Australian Dolphins, who have migrated to this stretch of Chilika . There is Nalaban, 46km from Satapada which is repository of migratory birds including Flemingoes, Pelicans, a variety of cranes and ducks.

Above this there is "Nandan Kanan ('garden of pleasure') is a combination of zoo, botanical garden and sanctuary. The zoo has created history in many ways. In 1967, a wild female tiger climbed up a concrete wall, and leapt down into the tiger enclosure, thus perhaps becoming the only wild animal in existence who has ever opted to join in a zoo.

The fascinating dense Chandaka forest for the elephants, is the only one of its kind, and is perfect for eco-tourism. These majestic animals have made the Chandaka Forest their home, they are however completely wild, and can, on occasion, be dangerous. In addition to elephants, the Reserve boasts of cheetal, bears, pea-fowl, sambhar, and various other species. The forest officials have also spotted pug marks of cheetahs within the forest. Other wildlife sanctuaries that are housed in the state of Orissa are: Ambapani, Belghar, Chilika, Karlapat, Lakhari, Padamtala, and Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuaries.

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Umakanta Mohanty
C/o N.C.Mohanty
Ambika Temple Lane
Badambadi
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Phone: (0671) 334271
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