The Odisha State government declared the Gupteswar forest in Koraput district, its fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
The forest is under the jurisdiction of the Jeypore Forest Division. It is adjacent to the Gupteswar Shiva temple in the Dhondrakhol reserve forest. Previously, the State government had declared Mandasaru in Kandhamal district, Mahendragiri in Gajpati, and Gandhamardan in Bargarh and Bolangir districts as Biodiversity Heritage Site.
The government has directed the Odisha Biodiversity Board (OBB) to prepare a long-term plan for intensive conservation and development of these sites through the direct participation of the local communities. An amount of ₹35 lakh has been allocated for the preparation of the action plan and awareness-building activities in the localities, the government said in a statement.
Gupteswar Forest
The forest is spread over 350 hectares. It is not a home to a wide range of flora and fauna but also has several sacred grooves that are worshipped by the local community. A biodiversity inventory and survey conducted by the OBB revealed the presence of at least 608 faunal species, including 28 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 18 species of amphibia, 48 species of reptiles, 141 species of butterflies, 43 species of moths, 41 species of odonates, 30 species of spiders, six species of scorpion and 20 species of lower invertebrates.
According to the survey, significant faunal species such as mugger crocodile, kanger valley rock gecko, sacred Grove Bush Frog, and avifauna like black baza, Jerdon’s baza, Malaber trogon, common hill myna, white-bellied woodpecker, and banded bay cuckoo and others have also been documented.
The limestone caves of Gupteswar are adorned with eight species of bats out of the total 16 species found in southern Odisha. Among them, two species Hipposideros galeritus and Rhinolophus rouxii are under the near-threatened category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The site also has a rich floral diversity with 182 species of trees, 76 species of shrubs, 177 species of herbs, 69 species of climbers, 14 species of orchids and threatened medicinal plants like Indian trumpet tree, Indian snakeroot, Cumbi gum tree, Garlic pear tree, Chinese fever vine, Rohituka tree, Jodpakli, Indian jointfir, and several wild crop relatives of ginger and turmeric.
Biodiversity Heritage sites
India has 45 designated Biodiversity Heritage Sites under the Biodiversity Act, of 2002. BHS are areas that have unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine.
They have rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components: rich wild and domesticated species, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domesticated or cultivated species, and presence of fossil beds. Furthermore, these sites may have significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values.
Their main aim is to strengthen biodiversity conservation in traditionally managed areas and to reduce the rapid loss of biodiversity in sensitive areas. It also promotes pride and a sense of community among the local residents of the area. Thus, increasing public participation and conservation of resources for future generations.