Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary | |
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Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary | |
Location | Odisha |
Nearest city | Sambalpur |
Coordinates | 21°29′50″N 84°17′28″E / 21.497164°N 84.291226°E[1] |
Area | 304 km2 (117 sq mi) |
Designated | 1962 |
Administrator | Divisional Forest Officer, Bamra Wildlife Division |
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1962 over a forest area of about 304.03 square kilometres.[2][3] It is situated at a distance of about 22 kilometres from Sambalpur. To the west of the Sanctuary lies Hirakud Dam.[4] Principally dry deciduous forest type, floral species like sal, sandalwood, arjun, neem, acacia, casuarinas are of frequent occurrence. The fauna includes, amongst others, tigers, elephants, sambar leopards and bison. Presently there are about 15 tigers and 35 elephants in the sanctuary.[5] It is rich in avifaunal wealth and the main attraction of this sanctuary are racket tail drangos and flying squirrel. For night halts there is one two roomed forest rest house inside the sanctuary. The reservations can be done through the Divisional Forest Officer of the same sanctuary, Sambalpur.