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.

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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?

Ans. Sandy coastal tract

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

Ans. Olive Ridley turtle

Source: TOI