Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary: Location and Biodiversity

Category: Environment / Protected Areas

UPSC Notes

Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area in Dhenkanal district of Odisha, associated with the Kapilash hill landscape.

The wider area is known for forest ecosystems, wildlife habitat and the cultural significance of the Kapilash hills.

Ecological importance

  • Provides habitat for forest-dependent wildlife.

  • Supports biodiversity in Odisha's eastern Indian landscape.

  • Contributes to soil conservation, water regulation and local ecosystem stability.

  • Faces conservation challenges associated with habitat disturbance and human pressure.

Key Pointers for UPSC

  • State: Odisha.

  • District: Dhenkanal.

  • Landscape: Kapilash hills and surrounding forest ecosystems.

  • Wildlife sanctuary status should be distinguished from national park and tiger reserve status.

  • For species-specific questions, verify the latest official wildlife inventory rather than assuming every species reported from nearby forests occurs within the sanctuary.