Into The Density Of Gupteswar Forest: Odisha’s 4th Biodiversity Heritage Site
Covering an area of 350 hectares, the site is very significant due to its vast diversity of flora and wildlife as well as its holy woods, which have been respected by the local people for generations.
The state’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), Gupteswar Forest, is situated close to the Gupteswar Shiva temple and is a part of the Dhondrakhol reserve forest of the Jeypore forest division in the Koraput district of Odisha.
Covering an area of 350 hectares, the site is very significant due to its vast diversity of flora and wildlife as well as its holy woods, which have been respected by the local people for generations.
The region is home to an astounding 608 faunal species, according to the extensive biodiversity inventory and assessment carried out by the Odisha Biodiversity Board. 28 species of mammals, 188 bird species, 18 amphibian species, 48 reptile species, 45 fish species, 141 butterfly species, 43 moth species, 41 odonate species, 30 spider species, 6 scorpion species, and 20 lower invertebrate species are among them.
The grove bush frog, kanger valley rock gecko, mugger crocodile, and Malabar trogon are notable examples of the wildlife found here. Other notable avifauna species include the banded bay cuckoo, black baza, Jerdon’s baza, common hill myna, and white-bellied woodpecker.
Eight species of bats inhabit the limestone caves in the Gupteswar forest; two of these species, Galeritus and Rhinolophus rouxii, are classified as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
With 182 kinds of trees, 76 types of shrubs, 177 species of herbs, 69 species of climbers, and 14 species of orchids, the forest is home to a wide variety of flora. Its ecological significance is further highlighted by the existence of numerous wild crop relatives of ginger and turmeric, as well as endangered medicinal plants like the Indian trumpet tree, Indian snakeroot, Cumbi gum tree, Garlic pear tree, Chinese fever vine, Rohituka tree, Jodpakli, and Indian jointfir. Furthermore, this pure ecology supports vital bacteria for industry and agriculture.
Gupteswar’s classification as a BHS is crucial for preserving its priceless biodiversity in addition to strengthening the cultural ties that bind the local people to the forest. Odisha presently has four Biodiversity Heritage Sites: Gandhamardan BHS in Bargarh and Bolangir district, Mandasaru BHS in Kandhamala district, and Mahendragiri BHS in Gajpati district. This status was granted to them.
The Odisha Biodiversity Board has been pushed by the state government to create a thorough, long-term strategy for the development and conservation of these areas, with an emphasis on community engagement. A sum of Rs 35 lakhs has been set aside for the purpose of creating an action plan and educating the local population.
