CRPF-Maoists Exchange Fire in Sunabeda Sanctuary UPSC

SUNABEDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

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Picture Courtesy: https://mail.toshalisands.com/orissawildlife.com/sunabeda-wildlife-sanctuary.html

Context: An exchange of fire occurred between Maoists and security forces (CRPF) in the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha.

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1983, Sunabeda was initially notified as a wildlife sanctuary. It's currently awaiting official recognition as a tiger reserve, holding "in-principle-approval" from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
The sanctuary forms the catchment area of the Jonk River, a tributary of the Mahanadi River.
The Indra nullah and the Udanti River flow along the southern borders, adding to the hydrological diversity.
The vegetation is mostly dry deciduous tropical forests. Key tree species include bija, teak, sisoo, asan, and sandalwood, offering valuable habitat and resources for various animals.
Diverse range of fauna including; Tigers, leopards, hyenas, barking deer, chital, gaur, sambar, sloth bears, Barasingha (swamp deer) and more roam freely.
Birdlife flourishes with over 200 recorded species, including the majestic Hill Myna and the elusive Giant Squirrel.
The sanctuary is home to several tribal communities, including the Gond, Bhumia tribes and Bhumia tribes. Their traditional knowledge and practices are deeply intertwined with the forest's conservation.

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements are correct about the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary?

A) It forms a crucial corridor connecting several protected areas.

B) It primarily consists of evergreen rainforests.

C) It is home to the endangered Barasingha.

D) It experiences a tropical monsoon climate.

Select the correct code:

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) Only three

D) All four

Answer: C

Explanation:

1. It forms a crucial corridor connecting several protected areas. This statement is correct. Sunabeda serves as an important link between Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha and Sitanadi and Udanti sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh, facilitating wildlife movement.

2. It primarily consists of evergreen rainforests. This statement is incorrect. Sunabeda is predominantly a dry deciduous tropical forest. While there might be some evergreen patches, it's not the main type of vegetation.

3. It is home to the endangered Barasingha. This statement is correct. The Barasingha (swamp deer) is an endangered species found in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary.

4. It experiences a tropical monsoon climate. This statement is correct. Sunabeda falls under the tropical monsoon climate zone, experiencing hot and humid summers followed by mild winters.