Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary

The floral diversity is distributed in six types, viz., secondary moist miscellaneous semi-evergreen forests, moist Kangada (Xylia xylocarpa) forests, coastal Sal forests (Shorea robusta), thorny bamboo brakes (Bambusa bambos), planted teak and Eupatorium scrub. The main tree species are kochila, kalicha, belo, kangada, giringa, sunari, sal, kumbhi, jamu, karanja, teak and sidha. Male bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) has a very restricted distribution. Common medicinal plants of the sanctuary are duramari, baidanka (Mucuna pruriens), brudhadaraka, bhuinlimbo, guduchi lata, salparni (Desmodium gangeticum), satabari, bhuin-kakharu, indrajaba, thalkudi, apamaranga, kurchi, and patalgaruda. A few species of ground orchids, ferns, club mosses, bryophytes and lichens are distributed in shady wet pockets and rock escarpments.

Elephants inside Chandaka Dampara forest

Deras Dam, located within the reserve

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The Indian elephant is the flagship species and indicative of the potential productivity of the habitat.[2][3] The leopard is in the apex of biological pyramid. Chital, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, common langur, rhesus monkey, small Indian civet, common Indian mongoose, small Indian mongoose, ruddy mongoose, pangolin, sloth bear, ratel, Indian wolf and hyena are other mammals of the area. Chital or spotted deer are commonly encountered in groups of 3–7 on forest roads, forest openings, grass lands, foreshore of water bodies and even near guard camps. Wild dogs are occasionally seen. After 40 years researchers have found evidence of a tigress and her cub in the forest; in the winter of 2012, they spotted footprints of those two.

Prominent birds of the sanctuary are peafowl, red junglefowl, crested serpent eagle, great horned owl, black hooded oriole, paradise flycatcher, coucal and stone curlew. Kumarkhunti reservoir, during winter, serves as a transient roosting and feeding ground for several migratory duck species, notably garganey and common teal, pintail, spot billed duck and Brahminy duck and white eyed pochard. Lesser whistling teal, dabchick, cotton teal, nakta, lesser cormorant, bronze winged jacana, white breasted waterhen, pied, white breasted and little blue kingfishers and red wattled lapwings are other resident birds around. In July the reservoir transforms into an abode of migratory birds, mainly open billed storks, pond heron, egrets and cormorants. Butterflies are abundant during monsoon and post-monsoon months.

Among reptiles, rock python and Bengal monitor lizard are quite common. Chameleon, common skink, Indian flap shell turtle, Russell's viper, bamboo pit viper, common krait, common vine snake, kukri snake, and Indian bronze back are indicative reptiles. Mugger crocodiles have remarkably adapted to large water bodies after their release.

The Zoological Survey of India (in 2002) reported 37 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 33 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 28 species of fishes in this sanctuary.[4]

For visitors there are a number of watch towers to observe wildlife. While Kochilaberana, Pitagadia and Charichhak watch towers are excellent for observation of birds and animals, the ones at Kumarkhunti and Ambilo have the comfort of rest houses where one can make a night halt.

There are two water reservoirs, Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam, situated within the reserve. The cottages near Deras provide a scenic view of the Chandaka reserve and a chance to see wildlife.

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• Orissa Tourism
• Bhitarkanika Trip report - Wildlife Times

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  Security checkpoint
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  Nightlife details
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  Mahout and tamed pachyderm
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  Natural waterhole