SATKOSIA TIGER RESERVE

Nature Camp, Tikarpada

Satkosia spreads along the magnificent gorge over the mighty river Mahanadi in Orissa. Established in 1976 as a
wildlife sanctuary, Satkosia is a paradise of immense scenic charm. It is one of the best ecosystems in the country,
representing a diverse floral and faunal extravaganza.
The name Satkosia originates from two words; sat meaning seven and kosk meaning two miles, indicating the
length of the gorge as 14 miles or 22 km.
The area was declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in
2007, comprising two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries;
the Satkosia Gorge sanctuary and Baisipalli
sanctuary. The reserve is spread over 4 districts;
Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh.

The reserve has an area of 964 sq km with 524 sq km as

core area. The area is also a part of the Mahanadi
elephant reserve.
Satkosia is the meeting point of two bio-geographic
regions of India; the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern
Ghats, contributing immense biodiversity. Boudh.
 TERRAIN
The landscape is hilly with moderate to steep slopes.
The general elevation is around 350 m from sea
level. The gorge is around 51 m deep on the river
bed at Tikarpada. The highest peak is Sunakhania at
933m.

The The northern part of the reserve along the river

Mahanadi is managed by Satkosia Wildlife Division,
Angul while the southern part is under Mahanadi
Wildlife Division, at Nayagarh.
 FOREST TYPES
Satkosia has tremendous genetic diversity. The
forest types consists of Moist Deciduous forests,
Low level Sal forests, Dry Deciduous forests, Mixed
Deciduous forests, Scrub forests, Bamboo.

THE FLORA
There are over 400 plant species comprising of 126
trees, 98 shrubs, 125 herbs and 51 climbers identified
in the reserve. The main tree species are Sal (Shorea
robusta), Jamun (Suzygium cuminii), Bija
(Pterocarpus marsupium), Sissoo (Dalbergia latifolia),
Arjuna
(Terminalia arjuna), Asan (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhaura (Anogeissus latifolia), Siris (Albizia lebbek) , Bandhan
(Ougeinia oojeinensis) and Haldu (Adina cordifolia). Bamboo namely Salia (Bambusa arundinaceae) and Daba
(Dendrocalamus strictus) occurs extensively. Other tree species includes Gambhar (Gmelina arborea), Bahada
(Terminalia belerica), Harida (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Mahul (Madhuca indica), Sidha
(Lagerstroemia parviflora), Char (Buchanania lanzan), Kasi (Bridelia retusa) , Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) etc.

The magnificent Phasi tree (Anogeissus acuminate), which is used for construction of the sacred chariot of
Lord Jagganath is naturally seen in the reserve. The threatened species includes Kangada (Xylia xylocarpa),

Patuli (Lagerstroemia speciosa), Gila (Ceasalpinia

bonduc), Mirigichara (Grewia elastic) etc. There
are extensive teak plantations in the reserve
THE FAUNA
Around 38 species of mammals, 161 species of birds, 27 species of reptiles, 4
species of amphibians and 183 species of fishes are found in the reserve. The
reserve has significant population of tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera
pardus), elephants (Elephas maximus), spotted deer (Axis Axis), sambar
(Cervus unicolour), chowsingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), barking
deer(Muntiacus muntijak), bisons (Bos gaurus) , wild dog (Cuon alpines), sloth
bear (Mellursus ursinus), jackal (Canis aureus), giant squirrel (Ratufa indica)
and porcupine (Hystrix indica). The Satkosia gorge is the natural habitat of the
two endangered species of fresh water crocodilians namely the gharial and
mugger. The Gorge has turtles, terrapins, crabs, mollusks and other
amphibians. There are 17 tigers, 194 Elephants, 30 Leopards, 78
muggers and 3 gharials in the reserve.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The Conservation Plan of Satkosia Tiger Reserve emphasizes the need, to conserve the complete ecosystem of
Satkosia landscape in perpetuity using the tiger as a flagship species. The objective is to maintain a healthy and
viable breeding population of tigers inside a large inviolate core area combined with a multiple-use buffer area.

The management practices undertaken includes habitat management, habitat protection, eco-development
activities in fringe villages, relocation of villages from the core zone, community based ecotourism, promoting
conservation awareness, capacity building and safeguarding tiger habitat from ecologically unsustainable
development. The Project Tiger, a centrally sponsored scheme provides funding support for conservation
initiatives in the reserve.
KEY ATTRACTIONS

Satkosia offers something for everybody. Families can relax and enjoy the
splendour of nature. Nature lovers and bird watchers can explore the diversity of
the wilderness. The reserve is studded with mountains, creeks, caves and
waterfalls. Temple of Goddesses Binikei is famous and attracts any pilgrims.
Forest rest houses are available at Tikarpada, Purunakote, Labangi and
Chhamundia. Luxury hotels are available at Angul.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Visitors can enjoy boat rides on river
Mahanadi or take a trek through any of the
designated nature trails. One can closely
experience the wilderness through elephant
rides or sight wild animals on a watch tower.
NATURE CAMPS

Camping facilities are available at Tikarpada and

Purnakote. At Tikarpada, the camp is pitched on the
middle of the breathtaking gorge along the pristine sand
banks of river Mahanadi. An overnight stay is fascinating
and unforgettable. Camps have double bedded tents with
toilets and water supply. Camps are run by local
community groups. Visitors are advised to book the
facilities in advance.
GHARIAL RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION UNIT (GRACU): Visit the erstwhile Gharial Research and
Conservation Unit, at Tikarpada which pioneered the Conservation Breeding and Rehabilitation of fresh water
crocodiles in India. The centre has undertaken artificial rearing of gharial and mugger crocodile eggs collected
from the wild and have eventually released them into the Mahanadi river, their natural habitat.
HOW TO GET HERE

The reserve is 190 Km from Bhubaneswar, the capital

city of Orissa State in India. Take the National Highway
42 and reach Angul. From there proceed to Pampasar
which is the main entry gate of the reserve.
Bhubaneswar is accessible by air, rail and road.
FOR DETAILS CONTACT

Conservator of Forests, Angul, Orissa

759143, India.
Phone-91-6764-230304

Divisional Forest Officer,

Satkosia Wildlife Division, Angul
Orissa 759143, India.
Phone-91-6764-236218
Email: dfosatkosiawl@yahoo.co.in

Divisional Forest Officer,

Mahanadi Wildlife Division,
Nayagarh, Orissa 752069, India
Phone-91-6753-253971