Forests in Odisha: Difference between revisions

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[[Odisha]], one of the 28 [[states of India]],
has two basic kinds of [[forest]]: in the northeast region of the state the forest is classified as the tropical-moist-deciduous type, blanketing hills, plateaus and other high-altitude isolated areas; in the southwest the tropical-dry-deciduous variety dominate.
[[File:India Odisha relief map.svg|thumb|Geographical map of Odisha]]


[[File:Forrest Odisha.jpg|thumb|Tropical-moist-deciduous forests in Odisha]]
[[File:Forrest Odisha.jpg|thumb|Tropical-moist-deciduous forests in Odisha]]
[[File:Dry Evergreen Forests during Monsoon at Madhavadhara.JPG|thumb|Dry evergreen forests during monsoon]]
[[File:Dry Evergreen Forests during Monsoon at Madhavadhara.JPG|thumb|Dry evergreen forests during monsoon]]


[[Odisha]], one of the 29 [[States of India]],
==Features ==
has two basic kinds of [[forest]]: in the northeast region of the state the forest is classified as the tropical-moist-deciduous type, blanketing hills, plateaus and other high-altitude isolated areas; in the southwest the tropical-dry-deciduous variety dominate.


==Forests==
Odisha's forests are vast. Out of the total geographical area of 155,707&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the State records 52,472&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (~33.50%) as some version of forest. The actual forest cover may be less, according to the [[Forest Survey of India]], [[rosewood]], [[Sal tree|sal]], [[Pterocarpus marsupium|piasal]], [[teak]] and [[Turmeric|haldi]]. The forests' naturally vigorous growth accounts for a tremendous wealth of [[biodiversity]], filling many catalogues of the wild [[plant]] and [[animal]] species dwelling within.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Bhitarakanika National Park.jpg|thumb|left|Bhitarakanika National Park, second largest mangrove in India.]] -->


 
The state has declared large parcels of land as [[protected land|protected areas]] with the purpose being to allow animals and plants who are sensitive to cohabitation with humans places of relative freedom from interference and habitat loss. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state.  
Orissa's forests are vast. Out of the total geographical area of 155,707&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the State records 52,472&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (~33%) as some version of forest. The actual forest cover may be less, according to the [[Forest Survey of India]], [[rosewood]], [[Sal tree|sal]], [[Pterocarpus marsupium|piasal]], [[teak]] and [[Turmeric|haldi]]. The forest's naturally vigorous growth accounts for a tremendous wealth of [[biodiversity]], filling many catalogues of the wild [[plant]] and [[animal]] species dwelling within.
 
The state has declared large parcels of land as [[protected land|protected areas]] with the purpose being to allow animals and plants who are sensitive to cohabitation with humans places of relative freedom from interference and habitat loss. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state.


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Simlipal national park orissa.jpg|thumb|right|Similpal National Park]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Simlipal national park orissa.jpg|thumb|right|Similpal National Park]] -->


===Forest flora===
===Forest flora===
The state is home of ca 3000 plant species including 120 [[orchid]] species and 63 varieties of [[Mangrove|mangrove trees]] which make the state second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://halia.meccahosting.com/~a00028f9/Resource%2003.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326210221/http://halia.meccahosting.com/~a00028f9/Resource%2003.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The state is home to 3000 plant species including 120 [[orchid]] species and 63 varieties of [[Mangrove|mangrove tree]] which make the state second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://halia.meccahosting.com/~a00028f9/Resource%2003.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326210221/http://halia.meccahosting.com/~a00028f9/Resource%2003.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


A vast variety of other plants are also found in the state, as in the following:
A vast variety of other plants is also found in the state, as in the following:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}  
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}  
*''[[Acorous calamus]]''
*''[[Acorous calamus]]''
Line 56: Line 56:
*''[[Whighina somenifera]]''
*''[[Whighina somenifera]]''
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
===Forest fauna===
===Forest fauna===
The [[IUCN Red List]] has recorded a total of 473 species of [[bird]]s and 86 species of [[mammal]]s, 19 species of [[amphibian]]s and 110 species of [[reptiles]] including three [[crocodile|crocodilian]] species. Out of these around 54 species are considered endangered. Home to a variety of wild animals, the state has declared considerable tracts of land as areas protected for these animals only. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state. Not only this, the state also has the distinction of possessing three mass nesting beaches of endangered olive ridley sea turtles which makes it the largest nesting ground of the species.
The [[IUCN Red List]] has recorded a total of 473 species of [[bird]], 86 species of [[mammal]], 19 species of [[amphibian]] and 110 species of [[reptile]] including three [[crocodile|crocodilian]] species. Out of these around 54 species are considered endangered. Home to a variety of wild animals, the state has declared considerable tracts of land as areas protected for these animals only. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state. Not only this, the state also has the distinction of possessing three mass nesting beaches of endangered olive ridley sea turtles which makes it the largest nesting ground of the species.


<!--  Commented out: [[Image:White Tiger Nandankanan.jpg|thumb|right|Nandankanan Zoo situated at outskrits [[Bhubaneswar]] is the breeding and reserve centre of [[White tiger]]]] -->
<!--  Commented out: [[Image:White Tiger Nandankanan.jpg|thumb|right|Nandankanan Zoo situated at outskrits [[Bhubaneswar]] is the breeding and reserve centre of [[White tiger]]]] -->
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<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/protecting-marine-life|title=Protecting Marine Life - NOAA Fisheries|first=NOAA|last=Fisheries|date=5 May 2017|website=www.fisheries.noaa.gov}}</ref>]] -->
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/protecting-marine-life|title=Protecting Marine Life - NOAA Fisheries|first=NOAA|last=Fisheries|date=5 May 2017|website=www.fisheries.noaa.gov}}</ref>]] -->


The state has three mass nesting beaches of endangered [[olive ridley sea turtle]]s which when combined together makes it the world's largest nesting ground for this species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn87/mtn87p9.shtml|title=MTN 87:9-10 Fidelity of Male Olive Ridley Sea Turtles to a Breeding Ground|website=www.seaturtle.org}}</ref>
The state has three mass nesting beaches of endangered [[olive ridley sea turtle]]s which when combined makes it the world's largest nesting ground for this species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn87/mtn87p9.shtml|title=MTN 87:9-10 Fidelity of Male Olive Ridley Sea Turtles to a Breeding Ground|website=www.seaturtle.org}}</ref>
 
Indenting Orissa's ocean coast is [[Chilika|Chilika lagoon]], a semi-saline [[wetland]] used by many species of [[migratory bird]]s, and also which the endangered [[Irrawaddy dolphin]] uses as part of its range. In spite of considerable human interactivity here, the rare dolphin survives. The Orissa government is conducting various programmes to protect the species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319102122/http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-19 }}</ref>


Indenting Orissa's ocean coast is [[Chilika|Chilika lagoon]], a semi-saline [[wetland]] used by many species of [[migratory bird]]s, and also which the endangered [[Irrawaddy dolphin]] uses as part of its range. In spite of considerable human interactivity here, the rare dolphin survives. The Orissa government is conducting various programs to protect the species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319102122/http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/dolphin-human_interactions_chilika.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-19 }}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Chilika Dolphin.gif|thumb|right|Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika. Chilika is the largest habitat of this endangered species in the world.]]<ref>http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/consprojectirr.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>--><!-- Moved "floating" ref here (don't know where this goes but shouldn't be showing attached to nothing). I don't think it should be deleted unless it definitely garners the article nothing. Will check the article history soon to see where it goes. -->


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Chilika Dolphin.gif|thumb|right|Irrawaddy dolphin in Chilika. Chilika is the largest habitat of this endagered species in the world.]]<ref>http://www.wdcs.org/submissions_bin/consprojectirr.pdf</ref>--><!-- Moved "floating" ref here (don't know where this goes but shouldn't be showing attached to nothing). I don't think it should be deleted unless it definitely garners the article nothing. Will check the article history soon to see where it goes. -->
Other animals that call Orissa home, or part-time home, are listed below.


Other animals that call Orissa home, or part-time home are listed below.
==== ''Land animals'' ====
==== ''Land animals'' ====
<!-- (Please try to keep this list in alphabetical order) -->
<!-- (Please try to keep this list in alphabetical order) -->
Line 162: Line 164:
*[[Mallard|Wild ducks]]
*[[Mallard|Wild ducks]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
==Statistics==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Statistics of Forest Cover by District in Odisha, [[Forest Survey of India|FSI-2023]]<ref>{{cite report|title=India State of Forest Report - 2023 |volume=II |work=Forest Survey of India |year= 2024 |edition=18th |isbn= 978-81-950073-9-4 |url=http://fsi.nic.in/uploads/isfr2023/isfr_book_eng-vol-2_2023.pdf}}</ref>
! District
! Pct. of Forest Area in the District
! Total Aorest Area <br>{{nobold|(km²)}}
! Very Dense Forest <br>{{nobold|(km²)}}
!  Modest Dense Forest Area <br>{{nobold|(km²)}}
! Open Forest Area <br>{{nobold|(km²)}}
|-
| [[Angul district|Angul]]
| 43.51
| 2773.94
| 371.48
| 1373.67
| 1028.79
|-
| [[Balangir district|Balangir]]
| 17.6
| 1157.28
| 69.07
| 227.59
| 860.62
|-
| [[Balasore district|Baleswar]]
| 10.3
| 392.18
| 22.63
| 132.14
| 237.41
|-
| [[Bargarh district|Bargarh]]
| 18.54
| 1082.25
| 175.97
| 374.94
| 531.34
|-
| [[Boudh district|Baudh]]
| 42.21
| 1307.52
| 266.01
| 569.03
| 472.48
|-
| [[Bhadrak district|Bhadrak]]
| 2.98
| 74.65
| 0.12
| 9.14
| 65.39
|-
| [[Cuttack district|Cuttack]]
| 20.81
| 818.29
| 51.98
| 233.51
| 532.8
|-
| [[Debagarh district|Deogarh]]
| 50.47
| 1483.96
| 193.13
| 672.19
| 618.64
|-
| [[Dhenkanal district|Dhenkanal]]
| 32.33
| 1439.27
| 172.6
| 436.89
| 829.78
|-
| [[Gajapati district|Gajapati]]
| 57.78
| 2498.8
| 328.49
| 722.53
| 1447.78
|-
| [[Ganjam district|Ganjam]]
| 29.44
| 2415.69
| 174.74
| 1114.2
| 1126.75
|-
| [[Jagatsinghpur district|Jagatsinghpur]]
| 8.45
| 140.94
| 0
| 4.83
| 136.11
|-
| [[Jajpur district|Jajapur]]
| 10.78
| 312.65
| 5.49
| 74.2
| 232.96
|-
| [[Jharsuguda district|Jharsuguda]]
| 15.8
| 328.89
| 2.75
| 169.72
| 156.42
|-
| [[Kalahandi district|Kalahandi]]
| 30.01
| 2376.91
| 368.1
| 713.87
| 1294.94
|-
| [[Kandhamal district|Kandhamal]]
| 67.35
| 5402.03
| 653.03
| 2598.55
| 2150.45
|-
| [[Kendrapara district|Kendrapara]]
| 12.45
| 329.18
| 81.55
| 86.53
| 161.1
|-
| [[Kendujhar district|Kendujhar]]
| 38.41
| 3189.08
| 290.04
| 1412.3
| 1486.74
|-
| [[Khordha district|Khordha]]
| 18.86
| 530.4
| 22.19
| 188.73
| 319.48
|-
| [[Koraput district|Koraput]]
| 23.79
| 2095.29
| 52.23
| 549.61
| 1493.45
|-
| [[Malkangiri district|Malkangiri]]
| 39.92
| 2311.5
| 159.66
| 707.4
| 1444.44
|-
| [[Mayurbhanj district|Mayurbhanj]]
| 39.34
| 4098.74
| 1329.22
| 1743.49
| 1026.03
|-
| [[Nabarangpur district|Nabarangpur]]
| 22.24
| 1176.53
| 154.08
| 424.95
| 597.5
|-
| [[Nayagarh district|Nayagarh]]
| 45.43
| 1767.13
| 191.33
| 981.82
| 593.98
|-
| [[Nuapada district|Nuapada]]
| 36.04
| 1388.25
| 106.25
| 536.46
| 745.54
|-
| [[Puri district|Puri]]
| 8.19
| 285.03
| 0
| 53.63
| 231.4
|-
| [[Rayagada district|Rayagada]]
| 46.46
| 3286.25
| 385.49
| 1185.77
| 1714.99
|-
| [[Sambalpur district|Sambalpur]]
| 49.88
| 3320.29
| 536.47
| 1724.59
| 1059.23
|-
| [[Subarnapur district|Subarnapur]]
| 17.23
| 402.77
| 43.08
| 195.52
| 164.17
|-
| [[Sundergarh district|Sundargarh]]
| 43.74
| 4247.87
| 1017.24
| 1847.75
| 1382.88
|-
! Total
! 33.67
! 52433.56
! 7224.42
! 21065.55
! 24143.59
|}
==See also==
* [[Geography of Odisha]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 05:11, 3 February 2026


Odisha, one of the 28 states of India, has two basic kinds of forest: in the northeast region of the state the forest is classified as the tropical-moist-deciduous type, blanketing hills, plateaus and other high-altitude isolated areas; in the southwest the tropical-dry-deciduous variety dominate.

Geographical map of Odisha
Tropical-moist-deciduous forests in Odisha
Dry evergreen forests during monsoon

Features[edit | edit source]

Odisha's forests are vast. Out of the total geographical area of 155,707 km2, the State records 52,472 km2 (~33.50%) as some version of forest. The actual forest cover may be less, according to the Forest Survey of India, rosewood, sal, piasal, teak and haldi. The forests' naturally vigorous growth accounts for a tremendous wealth of biodiversity, filling many catalogues of the wild plant and animal species dwelling within.

The state has declared large parcels of land as protected areas with the purpose being to allow animals and plants who are sensitive to cohabitation with humans places of relative freedom from interference and habitat loss. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state.


Forest flora[edit | edit source]

The state is home to 3000 plant species including 120 orchid species and 63 varieties of mangrove tree which make the state second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.[1]

A vast variety of other plants is also found in the state, as in the following:

Forest fauna[edit | edit source]

The IUCN Red List has recorded a total of 473 species of bird, 86 species of mammal, 19 species of amphibian and 110 species of reptile including three crocodilian species. Out of these around 54 species are considered endangered. Home to a variety of wild animals, the state has declared considerable tracts of land as areas protected for these animals only. These protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of the total geographical area of the state. Not only this, the state also has the distinction of possessing three mass nesting beaches of endangered olive ridley sea turtles which makes it the largest nesting ground of the species.


The state has three mass nesting beaches of endangered olive ridley sea turtles which when combined makes it the world's largest nesting ground for this species.[2]

Indenting Orissa's ocean coast is Chilika lagoon, a semi-saline wetland used by many species of migratory birds, and also which the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin uses as part of its range. In spite of considerable human interactivity here, the rare dolphin survives. The Orissa government is conducting various programmes to protect the species.[3]


Other animals that call Orissa home, or part-time home, are listed below.

Land animals[edit | edit source]

Avians[edit | edit source]

Statistics[edit | edit source]

Statistics of Forest Cover by District in Odisha, FSI-2023[4]
District Pct. of Forest Area in the District Total Aorest Area
(km²) 		Very Dense Forest
(km²) 		Modest Dense Forest Area
(km²) 		Open Forest Area
(km²)
Angul 43.51 2773.94 371.48 1373.67 1028.79
Balangir 17.6 1157.28 69.07 227.59 860.62
Baleswar 10.3 392.18 22.63 132.14 237.41
Bargarh 18.54 1082.25 175.97 374.94 531.34
Baudh 42.21 1307.52 266.01 569.03 472.48
Bhadrak 2.98 74.65 0.12 9.14 65.39
Cuttack 20.81 818.29 51.98 233.51 532.8
Deogarh 50.47 1483.96 193.13 672.19 618.64
Dhenkanal 32.33 1439.27 172.6 436.89 829.78
Gajapati 57.78 2498.8 328.49 722.53 1447.78
Ganjam 29.44 2415.69 174.74 1114.2 1126.75
Jagatsinghpur 8.45 140.94 0 4.83 136.11
Jajapur 10.78 312.65 5.49 74.2 232.96
Jharsuguda 15.8 328.89 2.75 169.72 156.42
Kalahandi 30.01 2376.91 368.1 713.87 1294.94
Kandhamal 67.35 5402.03 653.03 2598.55 2150.45
Kendrapara 12.45 329.18 81.55 86.53 161.1
Kendujhar 38.41 3189.08 290.04 1412.3 1486.74
Khordha 18.86 530.4 22.19 188.73 319.48
Koraput 23.79 2095.29 52.23 549.61 1493.45
Malkangiri 39.92 2311.5 159.66 707.4 1444.44
Mayurbhanj 39.34 4098.74 1329.22 1743.49 1026.03
Nabarangpur 22.24 1176.53 154.08 424.95 597.5
Nayagarh 45.43 1767.13 191.33 981.82 593.98
Nuapada 36.04 1388.25 106.25 536.46 745.54
Puri 8.19 285.03 0 53.63 231.4
Rayagada 46.46 3286.25 385.49 1185.77 1714.99
Sambalpur 49.88 3320.29 536.47 1724.59 1059.23
Subarnapur 17.23 402.77 43.08 195.52 164.17
Sundargarh 43.74 4247.87 1017.24 1847.75 1382.88
Total 33.67 52433.56 7224.42 21065.55 24143.59

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2009-08-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ "MTN 87:9-10 Fidelity of Male Olive Ridley Sea Turtles to a Breeding Ground". www.seaturtle.org.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2008-12-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ India State of Forest Report - 2023 (PDF). Forest Survey of India (Report). Vol. II (18th ed.). 2024. ISBN 978-81-950073-9-4.

20°32′15″N 84°31′43″E / 20.537416°N 84.528709°E / 20.537416; 84.528709

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