Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve:
Recent camera trap images from Chhattisgarh’s Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) have captured a promising resurgence in wildlife activity, showing extensive use of the forest by carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores alike.
- Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve is located in the Gariaband and Dhamtari Districts of Chhattisgarh.
- It was established by joining the regions represented by Sitanadi and Udanti wildlife sanctuaries.
- The drainage system of the reserve consists of Mahanadi as the main river, along with Udanti, Sitanadi, Indravan, and Pairi Rivers as tributaries.
- The location of the reserve is strategic since it also connects with the Kanker and North Kondagaon forest divisions, forming a contiguous forest corridor to Indravati Tiger Reserve in the Bastar region.
- There are 19 named mountains in the reserve. Deo Dongri is the highest point. The most prominent mountain is Atānga Dongar.
- The forest types of USTR are “Tropical Peninsular Sal Forest and Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest” (Champion & Seth, 1968).
- Along with the Indravati Tiger Reserve, the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve is an important refuge for the last few herds of the highly endangered Wild Buffalo.
- Apart from the tiger, other endangered and rare species are the Indian Wolf, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Mouse Deer.
