Udanti – Sitanadi Sanctuary

The sanctuary with an area of 237.27 sq. km. came into existence in the year 1984. It lies on Raipur – Deobhog state highway on Chhattisgarh – Orissa state border at an elevation of 320 to 370 MSL and at a longitutde of 82.32’E to 82.0’E and latitude 20.0’N to 20.15’N. the temperature ranges from 7 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius maximum. Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary derives its name from the river flowing from west to east throughout the sanctuary. The topography of the area is a broken mass of land traversed by innumerable hill ranges intercepted by strips of plains. The river divides the sanctuary into almost equal halves of well forested area of south-easter Raipur district.

The undulating terrain of Udanti is covered with well stocked forests. The grand teak is mixed with other magnificent species like Saja, Bija, Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Aunla, Salai, Amaltas etc. The ground is covered with maze of grass, plants, bushes and saplings. The Sal forest glitters in the majority of north-wester half of the Sanctuary.

The Udanti river flow stops by February, what remain are scenic and serene pools of water in the river bed. There are few perennial springs including the famous Deodhara and Godene falls. The man made tanks are sufficient in number and well spread in the width and length of Sanctuary including Comp No. 34 tank, Comp No. 82 tank, Circular road tank Comp No. 81 and Comp No. 77 tank, which are known for almost sure sighting of Wild Buffaloes.

Udanti boasts of more than 120 species of birds including several migratory ones. Some of them are Peafowl, Jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson Breasted Barbet, Red Vented Bulbul, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Magpie Robin, Lesser Whistling Teal, Pintali, Shovellar, Egrets and Herons. In totality Udanti is a unique bird watching experience.

Cheeta (Spotted Deer), Sambhar, Nilgai, Wild Boar and jackal are commonly seen. Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Porcupine, Jungle cat, Fox, Striped hyena, Gaur, Chowsinga and Barking deer are also found. Tigers, though present are infrequently sighted. Udanti is one of the rare wilderness where the biggest mammals, Wild Buffalo and Bison can be seen together.

Specific reason for creation of this Sanctuary is the presence of the endangered species :Wild Buffalo (Bibalus Bubalis), which is only found in Assam and Chattisgarh.

Best Season : 1st November to 30th June

Where to Stay :
Four room at Taurenga Forest Rest House
Two room at Karlajhar Forest Rest House
Two room at Indagaon eco centre

For reservation contact : DFO, Udanti Division, Gariaband.

Sitanadi Sanctuary comprises of an area of 1050.80 sq. km. It receives an annual rainfall of 1600 mm and the temperature ranges from 8.5 degree Celsius minimum to 44.5 degree Celsius maximum. Sitanadi Sanctuary has been named after the river Sitanadi, which flows through the sanctuary from North to South. The undulating terrain of Sitanadi is covered by small hills and well stocked forest of Sal. The excellent quality  Sal Forests are on of the best in the country. Wonderful plantation forests of the straight stemmed grand Teak and mixed magnificent trees of Saja, Bija, Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Aunla, Salai, Amaltas etc. are seen in abundance in the Sanctuary. The ground is covered with maze of grass, plants bushes and saplings. Dazzling bamboos are the important conspicuous featuer of this Sanctuary and add to the beauty of this wilderness. The Sondur river also flows through the Sanctuary. The river water submerges quite a big chunk of Sanctuary forests. This had been a loss to the Sitanadi forests. But for the denizen of the forests a huge water body has been created. The changed habitata may attract divers flora and fauna.

Cheetal, Sambal, Nilgai, Wild boar, Jackal are commonly seen. Leopard, Sloth beer, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Fax, Striped hyena, chowsinga and Barking deer are also found. Tigers although present are sighted infrequently being scanty in number and shy. There is good dense forest althrough the Sanctuary hence sighting of wild animals is very poor.

Sitanadi boasts of more than 175 species of birds including migratory ones. Some of them are peafowl, Jungle Fowl, Crow Pheasant, Barbets, Bulbul, Drongo, Whistling teals, Egrets and Herons. Flying squirrels is a rare species found in this Sanctuary. The Sitanadi FRH at Khallari, Watch Tower, Sondur Dam are places worth seeing.

Best Season : 1st November to 30th June

Where to Stay :
Two room at khallari forest rest house.
Two room at Nagri forest rest house.
Two room at Sondurdam irrigation rest house.

Transport:
Tourists can use their private jeep / car or hire from Raipur, Dhamtari etc. No government vehicle is available for tourists at present.

Content Courtesy – Chattisgarh Tourism, For more details contact:
Chattisgarh Tourism Board
Head Office : Paryatan Bhawan, G E Road, Raipur – 492006, Chattisgarh, India.
Ph: +91-771-4066415
Fax:+91-771-4066425
Email : contactus@chattisgarhtourism.net

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7 Responses to “Udanti – Sitanadi Sanctuary”

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