Gupteswar Forest Designated As Fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site In Odisha

The government on Monday designated the Gupteswar Forest as the Biodiversity-Heritage Site (BHS) in the state. The forest, which is located near the famous Gupteswar Shiva temple in the Dhondrakhol reserve forest, will be the state’s fourth biodiversity heritage site and is expected to attract more tourists to Koraput district.

The site covers 350 hectares and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including many rare and threatened species. The biodiversity inventory and survey conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board revealed the presence of at least 608 faunal species and 517 floral species in the site. 

Some of the notable faunal species are mugger crocodile, kanger valley rock gecko, sacred Grove Bush Frog, black baza, Jerdon’s baza, Malabar trogon, common hill myna, white-bellied woodpecker, banded bay cuckoo, and eight species of bats. Some of the threatened medicinal plants found in the site are Indian trumpet tree, Indian snakeroot, Cumbi gum tree, Garlic pear tree, Chinese fever vine, Rohituka tree, Jodpakli, Indian jointfire and wild relatives of ginger and turmeric.

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The declaration of Gupteswar as BHS is expected to boost the cultural attachment of the local community to the forest and also lead to the conservation of its biodiversity. The state government has asked the Odisha Biodiversity Board to prepare a long-term plan for the intensive conservation and development of the site through the direct participation of the local people. An amount of Rs.35 lakhs has been allocated for the preparation of an action plan and awareness-building activities, reported news agency ANI.

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The decision of the government has been welcomed by the naturalists and local population in the Jeypore Forest Division, who expressed satisfaction that the forest would add to the livelihood of the people through ecotourism and minor forest produce in the long run. 

The Chairperson of the board, Dr Meeta Biswal and the member secretary Dr Nihar Ranjan Nayak also congratulated the biodiversity management committee of Haladikunda (Gupteswar) Gram Panchayat and the scientists and researchers of the board for this achievement to help in the enlisting Gupteswar forest as the fourth biodiversity heritage of Odisha.

(With ANI Inputs)