LOCATION
Located close to the boundary of Chhatisgarh state on the western fringe of Orissa in the newly created Nuapada district, this sanctuary covers 600sq.km of dry deciduous forests.
Core area: 243.60sq.Km
Buffer area: 356.40sq.Km
Longitude: 82° 20' to 82°34'48" East
Latitude: 20° 06' 0" to 20° 44'0" North
Altitude: 400 to 1000m above MSL.

The plateau on the hill top holds a slightly undulating flat land with good edible grass. Eleven beautiful waterfalls on seasonal stream dots the sanctuary.They dry out during summer leaving few deep pools of water. These are very fascinating attractions.Besides the Maraguda valley, Jumla fort with traces of ancient civilization and Jonk river attract visitors to the sanctuary comprising of Patadhara, Gatibeda, Munikgarh, Ranimai, Patidonger and Lodra forest blocks adjacent to the forests of Chhatisgarh state.

Index Map of Sunabeda Sanctuary

Notification No. and Date
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary was created vide notification no. 16045/FFAH dated 26th July, 1983 and 10772/FFAH dated 10th May 1988.

The Sanctuary is divided on 2 ranges namely Nuapara and Kommna. This Sanctuary is fragmented by 64 nos. of villages having large human population (20,000) and cattle population. The people depend on forest products for their subsistence to great extent as they have scanty land holdings with poor yield. The sanctuary is afflicted by heavy incidence of grazing by migratory cattle from bordering states.

CLIMATE
Annual rainfall: Varies from 1100 to 1500mm.Air temperature: 12° to 40° C.

APPROACH
Nearest Airport: Raipur 120km,Nearest Railway Station:Khariar Road on Raipur-Vijayanagaram line of South Eastern Railway.Bhubaneswar to Sunabeda by road: 560 km.Also approachable from Nuapada by road:Barkote 44 km, Bharuamunda 27 km, Tanwat 9km.

Kharal Dhas Waterfall

BIODIVERSITY

FLORA
Important flora of this dry deciduous forest include Piasal, Teak, Bija, Sisoo, Ashan, Harida, Amla,Bahada, Mahul, Dhaura, Kendu, Karada, Sidha, Mai,Char, Kumbhi, Genduli, Salia bamboo apart from varieties of succulent shrubs and palatable grasses.

FAUNA
The sanctuary is abode of varieties of endangered animals such as Tiger, Leopard, Wild buffalo, hard ground Barasingha, (presence doubtful). Nilgai,Sambar, Gaur, Barking deer, Chital, Porcupine,Hyena, Wild boar, Langur, Rhesus monkey, etc. are other common animals. Varieties of colourful birds such as Hill myna, Peafowl, Red jungle fowl,Patridge, Green-pigeon, Coots, Dabchick, Teals,Snake bird, Open billed stork, Fishing eagle, etc.are seen in the sanctuary. Besides there are numerous species of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrate fauna (butterfly, insects, etc.).

Ancient Rock Formations

IDEAL SEASON FOR VISIT
Preferably from October to February.

ACCOMMODATION
Forest Rest House at Sunabeda and Circuit House,Inspection Bungalows of different Departments of the State Government are also available in near by places like Nuapada, Khariar and Khariar road and hotels.

GUIDES
Forest staff on duty.

CONTACTS
D.F.O., Sunabeda Wildlife Division,Nuapada.
Phone: 06678-223372(0)
06678-223401(R)

FOOD AVAILABILITY
All F.R.Hs/ Watch towers have crockery, cutlery and utensils. The Choukidar can cook simple meals if provisions are carried and supplied to him. There is no catering facility inside. Provisions are available at local villages.

Sambar

Consumption of meat and liquor is not allowed inside the sanctuary.

COMMUNICATION

A wireless communication system covering all important points within and around the sanctuary has been established. During emergency this communication network will usually be available to multi-day trekkers through the established base stations. At present the VHF Base Stations of the communication network in Sunabeda are located at places like Godhus, Sunabeda, Nuapada.

PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST
The following tourism circuits have been identified having some important entry point to the sanctuary.

(1) PATORA-MARAGUDA CIRCUIT
A large water reservoir surrounded by hills, covered with beautiful Jogeswar Temple and Rajiv Udyan at Dam site of Upper Jonk Irrigation Canal, Raitalbandh with watch tower, ruins of Maraguda ancient civilization. This circuit is visited by about one lakh visitors annually from within the state and the neighbouring Chhatisgarh state mainly to have darshan in the temple, to visit the Rajiv garden.The places are visited by large number of visitors to celebrate the New Year, Shiva Ratri festival etc. in the serene beauty of the nature. The other.unexplored potential is that of boating in the water body which needs to be introduced. The area is approachable by pucca road.

Tiger

(2) BHARUAMUNDA-GODHUS-CHUAPANI-BARKOT ECOTOURISM CIRCUIT

Entry into the sanctuary through a Check-Naka Gate
at Bharuamunda and can also visit Sunabeda plateau
and come out through Chereichuan Check-Naka
Gate.

Important attractions are:
(i) Godhus water fall, Shiva temple.
(ii) Godhus forest complex with watch tower.
(iii) Herbal nursery-cum-demonstration plot.
(iv) Chuapani game tank with watch tower.
(v) Barkhol game rank.
(vi) The Jalki reservoir near Lodhra village
is a habitat of water fowls and other birds

Suitable sites for nature camps are at Godhus,Nature trail covering Bharuamunda Jalki reservoir and Godhus fall.

(3) KERMELI-MARAGUDA ECO-TOURISM CIRCUIT
Important attractions are:
(i) Bird congregation site at Raital reservoir
with watch tower
(ii) Bairbhadi bandh,
(iii) Patora reservoir and
(iv) Forest of Lodra and Manikgarh protected
forests
(v) Archaeological sites.

(4) BARKOT-CHEREICHUAN-RANIMAHAS-SNUBBED-BENIADHUS-KHARALDHUS CITCUIT

Important attractions are:
(i) Cave at Ranimahas.
(ii) Game tank and watch at Chereichuann.
(iii) Game tank and watch at Kholibhitar.
(iv) Sunadei Temple at Sunabeda village.
(v) IMagnififient Beniadhus fall.
(vi) Kharaldhus fall.
(vii) Borra Watch tower.
(viii) Ancient tribes and their culture.

Travel Packages