KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO 1 BALASORE

BIODIVERSITY OF ODISHA
Odisha, a state in eastern India, is extremely diverse and gives the state
abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. The districts in the interior are
thickly covered by tropical moist deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests.
The hills, plateaus and isolated areas of the northeastern part of the state are
covered by the tropical moist deciduous forests whereas the dry deciduous
forests are located in the southwest region of the state. Some of the trees
which grow in abundance in Odisha are bamboo, teak, rosewood, sal, piasal,
sanghvan and haldi. There are 479 species of birds, 86 species of mammals, 19
species of amphibians and 110 species of reptiles present in Odisha. The state
is also an important habitat for the endangered olive ridley turtles and
Irrawaddy dolphins. Koraput district of southern Odisha has been identified by
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN as Global Agricultural Heritage
site which is among only other three sites in the world. Other sites are in Peru,
China and Philippines

CHILIKA LAKE
In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international
importance under the Ramsar Convention due to its rich biodiversity. Over a
million migratory waterfowl and shorebirds winter here including many rare
and endangered species. The lake is of great value in preserving genetic
diversity and over 400 vertebrate species have been recorded. However
conflicts have arisen over the ecosystem of the lake such as Siltation, and
disagreements between fisherman, resulting in an overall loss of biodiversity.
As a result, the Odisha State Government with support from the Government
of India adopt adaptive conservation and management actions. In 1992, the
Government of Odisha, concerned by the degradation of the lake's ecosystem,
established the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) for the restoration and
overall development of the lake under the Indian Societies Registration Act. An
Integrated Management Plan was later implemented with financial support of
Rs 570 million (US$12.7 million) and Hydrobiological monitoring was supported
under the Odisha Water Resources Consolidation Project of the World Bank, to
the extent of Rs 10 million (US$220,000). A strong support network was
created with 7 state government organisations, 33 NGOs, 3 National
Government Ministries, 6 other organisations, 11 International organisations,
13 research institutions and 55 different categories of community groups
established good international contacts for protection in the area.

Chilika Sea mouth

In November 2002, the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was presented to
the Chilika Development Authority for "outstanding achievements in the field
of restoration and wise use of wetlands and effective participation of local
communities in these activities".[2][3]The ecological richness of the lake is of
great value in preserving the genetic diversity because of the multiplicity of its
habitat, flora and fauna. (Some are pictured in the photo gallery).[4] The
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) surveyed the lake between 1985 and 1988 and
identified 800 species of fauna, including many rare, endangered, threatened
and vulnerable species, but excluding terrestrial insects. Fishing cat,
Prionailurus viverrinus

The rare and threatened animal species identified are green sea turtle (EN),
dugong (VU), Irrawaddy dolphin (VU), blackbuck (NT), spoon billed (CR),
limbless skink and fishing cat (EN). 24 mammalian species were reported. 37
species of reptiles and amphibians are also reported.[4][5]
Flora
Recent surveys revealed an overall 726 species of flowering plants belonging to
496 genera and 120 families. This represents about one–fourth of the vascular
plant species of the Odisha state where some 2900 species altogether are
found. Fabaceae is the most dominant plant family followed by Poaceae and
Cyperaceae. Certain species were found to be characteristic of specific islands.
Important species identified are:.[4][6]

Leguminosae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae

Endemic cassipourea ceylanica

Five species of seagrass

Wild plants of horticultural importance and interesting plant groups such as

insectivorous plants, epiphytes, parasites and lithophytes

Mangrove associates, such as Aegiceras corniculatus, Excoecaria agalloch,

Salvadora persica, Pongamia pinnata, Colubrina asiatica, Capparis roxburghii,
Macrotyloma ciliatum and many others.
Fauna
Chilika Lake is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds, on the Indian
sub-continent. It is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in the country. Some
species listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species inhabit the lake for at
least part of their lifecycle. [7]Migratory water fowl arrive here from as far as
the Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake and remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Lakah,
Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and from the Himalayas.[8] A census conducted
in the winter of 1997–98 recorded about 2 million birds in the lake.[9]In 2007,
nearly 840,000 birds visited the lake, out of which 198,000 were spotted in
Nalbana Island. On 5 January 2008, a bird census involving 85 wildlife officials
counted 900,000 birds of which 450,000 were sighted in Nalabana. Removal of
invasive species of freshwater aquatic plants, especially water hyacinth, due to
restoration of salinity, is a contributing factor for the recent increasing
attraction of birds to the lake.[8][10]Nalbana Island is the core area of the
Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana means a weed covered
island In the Odia language.... It is a major island in the centre of the lake and
has an area of 15.53 km2 (6.0 sq mi). The island gets completely submerged
during the monsoon season. As the monsoon recedes in the winter, lake levels
decrease and the island is gradually exposed, birds flock to the island in large
numbers to feed on its extensive mudflats. Nalbana was notified in 1987 and
declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection
Act.[8][11]Large flocks of greater flamingos from Iran and the Rann of Kutch in
Gujarat, feed in the shallow waters of the lake. Other-long legged waders seen
around Nalbana Island are the lesser flamingos, Goliath herons, grey herons,
and purple herons, egrets, spoonbills, storks and black-headed ibis.

Goliath heron

Rare birds reported in the lake are Asiatic dowitchers (NT), Dalmatian pelican
(VU), Pallas's fish-eagles (VU), the very rare migrant spoon-billed sandpiper
(CR) and spot-billed pelican (NT).[11][12]

Peregrine falcon sub-species, Falco peregrinus babylonicusThe white-bellied

sea eagle, pariah kite, brahminy kites, kestrel,
As per the Chilika Development Authority's (CDA) updated data (2002), 323
aquatic species, which includes 261 fish species, 28 prawns and 34 crabs are
reported out of which sixty five species breed in the lake. 27 species are
freshwater fishes and two genera of prawns. The remaining species migrate to
the sea to breed. 21 species of herrings and sardines of the family Clupeidae
are reported
BIODIVERSITY OF MAHARASTRA

Maharashtra is ranked second among the state in terms of the recorded forest
area. Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the state is 61,579 square miles (159,489
km2) of which 49,546 square miles (128,324 km2) is reserved forests, 6,733
square miles (17,438 km2) is protected forest and 5,300 square miles (13,727
km2) is unclassed forests. Based on the interpretation of IRS Resourcesat-2
LISS III satellite data of the period Oct 2017 to Jan 2018, the State has 8,720.53
square miles (22,586 km2) under Very Dense Forest(VDF), 20,572.35 square
miles (53,282 km2) under Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) and 21,484.68
square miles (55,645 km2) under Open Forest (OF). According to the Champion
and Seth classification, Maharashtra has five types of forests.[80]. Southern
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests are found in the western ghats at height of
400–1000 meters. are Anjani, Hirda, Kinjal, and Mango are some of tress
species found in this type of forests. Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous
Forests are mix of Moist Teak bearing Forests (Melghat) and Moist Mixed
deciduous Forests (Vidarbha and Thane district). Commercially important Teak,
Shishum and bamboo are found here. In addition to evergreen Teak, some of
the other tree species found in this type of forests include Jambul, Ain, and
Shisam.[81] Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests occupy a major part of
the state. Southern Tropical Thorn Forests are found in the low rainfall regions
of Marathwada, Vidarbha, Khandesh, and Western Maharashtra. At present,
these forests are heavily degraded. Babul, Bor, and Palas are some of the tree
species found here. Littoral and Swamp Forests are mainly found in the Creeks
of Sindhudurg and Thane districts of the coastal Konkan region. These forests
are important for the protection of the coastal environment. In addition to the
above forest types, Maharashtra harbours significant mangrove, coastal and
marine biodiversity, with 304 km2 (117 sq mi) of area under mangrove cover
as per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) of the Forest survey India in the
coastal districts of the state. The state has three crucial biogeographic zones,
namely Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau and the West coast. The Ghats nurture
endemic species, Deccan Plateau provides for vast mountain ranges and
grasslands while the coast is home to littoral and swamp forests. As per a
report released by the Zoological Survey of India, Of the 94,000 identifiable
fauna species in the country, Maharashtra accounts for 5,460 species, which is
six per cent of the country’s fauna.

Flora of Maharashtra is heterogeneous in composition. In 2012 the recorded

thick forest area in the state was 61,939 km2 (23,915 sq mi) which was about
20.13% of the state's geographical area.[82] There are three main Public
Forestry Institutions (PFIs) in the Maharashtra state: the Maharashtra Forest
Department (MFD), the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra
(FDCM) and the Directorate of Social Forestry (SFD).[83] The Maharashtra
State Biodiversity Board, constituted by the Government of Maharashtra in
January 2012 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, is the nodal body for
conservation of biodiversity within and outside forest areas in the
State.[84][85]

FAUNA
The six tiger reserves located in the state cover a total area of 9,133 km2
(3,526 sq mi). Wildlife sanctuaries in the state include Bhimashankar Wildlife
Sanctuary, Kalsubai Harishchandagad Sanctuary, Radhanagari Wildlife
Sanctuary, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife
Sanctuary, Chandoli National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Nagzira
Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, part of Pench National Park,
Navegaon National Park and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.[86] The most common
animal species present in the state are monkeys, wild pigs, tiger, leopard, gaur,
sloth bear, sambar, four-horned antelope, blue bullBlue bull[dubious –
discuss], chital, barking deer, mouse deer, small Indian civet, golden jacka

jungle cat and hare.[87] Other animals found in this state include reptiles such
as lizards, scorpions and snake species such as cobras and kraits etc.[88]

FLORA
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The wild, national parks and entire land of Maharashtrara have wide varieties
of trees and plant species such as Tamarind tree,[89] Neem tree, Mango trees,
Vachellia nilotica trees, Banyan trees, Coconut trees, Guava trees, Lemon
plants, Orange trees, Banana plants,[90] Ficus religiosa trees, Kadamba tree,
Jamun, Palash, Shisam, Teak, Dhawa, Dhatura, Ain, Bija, Shirish, Acacia, Drum
stick trees, Awala, Moha, Hedu[clarification needed] , Ficus.[81] and Cactus
species.

Marine life
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Maharashtra has 720 kilometers of sea coastline of the Arabian sea. In this sea,
various types of fish and marine animals have their natural habitat. Zoological
Survey of India (ZSI) found 1527 marine animal species in Maharashtra, some
of these animals are Molluscs (marine invertebrates) with 581 species, It is 38%
of the total Marine life of the state, Crustacean species such as Crabs, Shrimps,
Lobsters, 287 fish species, 141 species types of Aanelids (sea worms).[91]