Why in the News?
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared Maoist free and is emerging as a key leopard habitat, with forest officials estimating over 70 leopards in the sanctuary.
What does “Maoist free” mean?
Maoist free refers to an area that has been cleared of active Maoist (Left Wing Extremist) presence and where no operational influence, camps, or armed activity of Maoist groups remains.
About Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Located in Odisha, in Nuapada district
- Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983
- Adjoins Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary and Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Forms part of an inter state forest landscape between Odisha and Chhattisgarh
Physical Features
- Terrain includes plateaus, deep canyons, and 11 waterfalls
- Acts as catchment of the Jonk River
- Jonk River is a tributary of the Mahanadi River
- An irrigation dam constructed across the river
- Vegetation: Dominated by Dry Deciduous Tropical Forests
Prelims Pointers
- Sunabeda lies in western Odisha
- Declared sanctuary in 1983
- Shares boundary with Udanti Sitanadi landscape
- Part of Mahanadi river basin via Jonk River
- Known for leopard population recovery after Maoist decline
| [2024] Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season. 2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. 3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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