Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary

Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

A recent study found that dense vegetation in Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, home to spotted deer and blackbucks, has shrunk from 41.8% in 1993 to 37.1% in 2023.

About Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in Puri district, Odisha.
• It was declared a sanctuary on 23 April 1984.
• It has an area of 87 sq.km.
• It was established on the sandy tract covered by plantation of casurina and cashew trees, along the coast between Puri and Konark. 
• It is traversed by the rivulets such as Nuanai River, Kusabhadra River, Kadua River, and Prachi River.
• Flora: 
  • Apart from cashew and casurina plantation, Australian acacia and eucalyptus plantations has also been done. 
  • Jamun, ficus, neem, karanj, and polang trees are also found, mostly along the course of the Kusabhadra and Nuanai rivers.
• Fauna:
  • It is home to herds of herbivores (spotted deer), monkeys, jungle cat, hyena, monitor lizard, snakes, etc. 
  • Olive Ridley sea turtles have been seen nesting on the beach.

Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1. In which Indian state is the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans. Odisha

Q2. What kind of habitat is the sanctuary primarily based on?

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Ans. Sandy coastal tract

Q3. Which marine species nests on the beach near the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary ?

Ans. Olive Ridley turtle

Source: TOI