Morphology of Odisha
Morphologically the state of Odisha can be divided into five parts:
1. The coastal plains
2. The middle mountainous country
3. The rolling upland
4. River valleys
5. Subdued plateaus
The coastal plains
The coastal plains of Odisha stretch from Subarnarekha in the North to Rusikulya in the South. They are
narrow in the north, widest in the middle, narrowest in the lake Chilika coast and broad in the south.
The coastal plains are the gift of six major rivers, which bring silt from their catchments, has reclaimed
this area from the depths of the Bay of Bengal. The rivers from north to south are the Subarnarekha, the
Budhabalanga, the Baitarani, the Brahamani, the Mahanadi and the Rushikulya. The coastal plains can
be termed as a land of "Six deltas". These deltas include the Subernarekha, the Budha Balanga, the
middle coastal plain, the combine deltas of the Baitarani, the Brahamani, the Mahanadi and the south
coastal plains (The Rusikulya plains).
The mountainous region
The mountainous region of Odisha covers about ¾ of the area of the state. The region is a part of Indian
peninsula. Here deep and broad valleys are cut by the Baitarani, the Brahamani, the Mohanadi, the
Rusikulya, the Bansadhara and the Nagavali rivers. They are fertile, well drained and thickly populated.
Morphologically this region can be divided in to the following units.
a. The Simulia and meghasana mountains
b. The Baitarani and the Brahamani interfluous
c. The water shed between the Brahmani and the Mahanadi
d. The water shed of Rusikulya and Vansadhara. The elevation ranges from 6102-1068 meters
The rolling uplands
The rolling uplands are lower in elevation than the plateaus. They vary from 153m-305m. They are the
products of continued river action, are rich in soil nutrients, and are situated in the koelsankh basin of
the upper Brahamani in the IB, the Suktel and the tell of the middle Mohanadi and the Sabari basins.
The rolling uplands may be grouped as follows: the Rajgangpur uplands, the Jharsuguda uplands, the
Bhawani pattna uplands, the Bargarh uplands, the Balangir–Titlagarh uplands-the Patnagarh uplands,
the Malkanigir uplands and the Rairangapur uplands.
The river valleys
The river valleys are net product of the action of rivers. They are fertile and times present and
undulating topography. The major river valleys of Odisha are associated with the Brahamani, the
Mahanadi and the Vansadhara rivers.
The subdued plateaus
The subdued plateaus (305-601m) revel all the peculiarities of peninsular tablelands. They are almost
flat and the monotony of geography is interrupted by the river valleys. These features are commonly
met with in the upper Baitarani and the Sabari basins of the Keonjhar and Koraput Districts,
respectively. In these uplands sheet erosion is most common while gullying is confined to the river
valleys. These plateaus can be divided in to the Panposh–Keonjhar–Pallahara plateaus and the
Nawrangpur- Jeypore plateaus.
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Natural Resource of Odisha
Rivers
There are four groups of rivers which flow through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal. They are:
Rivers that have a source outside the state (the Subarnarekha, the Brahmani and the Mahanadi)
Rivers having a source inside the state (the Budhabalanga, the Baitarani, the salandi, and the
Rusikulya)
Rivers having a source inside the Odisha flow through other states (the Bahudu the Vansadhara,
and the Nagavali)
Rivers having a source inside Odisha, but tributary to rivers which flow through other states (the
Machkund, the sileru, the Kolab and the Indravati)
River Mahanadi
It is the major river of Odisha and sixth largest river in India. It originates from the Amarkantak hills of
the Bastar plateau in Raipur district of Chhatisgarh. It is about 857 kms. Long (494 kms in Odisha) and
its catchment area spreads over 141,600 sq.km (65,580 sq.kms) in Odisha. The river carries average
about 92,600 million m. of water.
The Brahmani
It is the second largest river in Odisha. It originates two major rivers like the Sankh and the Koel from
the Chhotangpur Plateau of Bihar and both join at Veda Vyasa near Rourkela of Sundergarh district of
Odisha forming the major River Brahmani. It flows through the Eastern Ghats in Sundargarh, Keonjhar,
Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Jajpur districts in to the coastal plains and enters into the Bay of Bengal along
with a combined mouth with the Mahanadi known as the Dhamra. The Brahmani is 799 kms. Long
(541kms In Odisha) and its catchment area spreads over 39,033 sq. kms in Odisha).
The Baitarani
It originates from the Gonasika hills of the keonjhar district. It is 365 kms. long and its catchment area
spreads over 12,790 sq. kms. It enters into the Bay of Bengal after joining of the Brahmani at Dhamra
mouth near chandabali Subarnrekha.
Subarnarekha
It originates from Chhotnagpur plateau of Bihar. It is 433 kms. (70 kms. in Odisha) and has a catchment
area of 19,500 kms. (3,200 kms. in Odisha) with a mean annual flow of 7,900 million.
The Budhabalanga
It originates from the eastern sloops of the Similipala massif. It is about 175 kms. long having a total
catchment area of 4840 sq. kms with an annual flow of 2177 million m. Its major tributaries are the
Sone, the Gangadhar, the Catra etc.
The Rushikulya
It originates from Rushikulya hills of the Eastern Ghats in Phulbani district. It is 165 kms. long with 8900
sq.kms of catchment areas. Its tributaries are the Baghua the Dhanei Badanadi etc. It has no delta at its
mouth.
The Bahuda
It originates from the Ramgiri hills of the Eastern Ghats in Gajapati district and joins the Bay of Bengal
in Andhra Pradesh. Its length 73 kms. having a catchment area of 1250 kms.
The Bansadhara
It originates from the flanks of the Durgakangar hills (Lingaraj hills) of the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi
districts. It is 230 kms. out of which only 150 kms. in Odisha. It enters in to Bay of Bengal at
Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It has a catchment area of 1150 sq. kms.
The Nagabali
It originates from the Bijipur hills of the Eastern Ghats near Lnjigarh. It is 210 kms. long out of which
100kms is in Odisha. It has a total catchment area of about 9410sq.kms.
The Salandi
It originates from the Meghasan hills of the Similipala massif in Keonjhar district. It is 144kms long with
catchment areas of 1793 sq.kms.
The Indrabati
It originates from the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi district. It is 530 kms. long with a catchment area of
4170 sq. kms. as a tributary it flows into the Godabari River.
The Kolab
It originates from the Sinkarn hills of the Eastern Ghats in Koraput district. It has catchment areas of
20400 sq. kms.
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Waterfalls
Most of the rivers, either at the point of origin or over the mountainous bed, have waterfalls. The
Barehipani and Joranda (Similipal) in Myurbhanja district Sanaghagara and Badaghagara in Keonjhar
district. Padhanpuri in Deogarh district khandadhar (Banei) in Sundargarh district Phurliharan,
Khandabaladhar, and Rabandhar in kalahandi district Kentamari and putudi in Boudh and Phulbani
district DumDuma in Malkangiri district and Bogra in Koraput district are some of the major waterfalls of
Odisha.
Lakes
The Chillika Lake is blackish water lagon located in the southern part of the Odisha coastal plane. It
salinity decleans to a minimum during the monsoon. But in winter due to the overflow of the tidal water
through the narrow opening from the Bay of Bengal, it is maximum.
Ansupa is a sweet water lake located in Banki of Cuttack district. It is 3 kms. in length and 1.5 kms. in
breadth. Sara in another sweet water lake located near puri. It is 5 kms. in length and 3 kms. in
breadth. Kanjia is another sweet water lake with about 134 acres of area located in Nandankanan of
Cuttack district near Bhubaneswar.
Name of the springs Rivers /tributary etc.
1. Bada Ghagra Ghagaras, a tributary to the Baitarani Ke
2. San Ghagra San Ghagaras a tributary to Baitarani D
3. Kapilas A tributary to the Brahmani D
4. Chandikhol A tributary to Mahanadi Cu
5. Mahavinayak - -
6. Barunei Tributary to the Daya N
7. Narayani Draining to lake Chilika Pu
8. Nirmal Jhar Draining to lake Chilika N
9. Pradhanpat A tributary to the Brahamani N
10. Phurligharan A tributary to the Indravati N
11. Khandadhar A tributary to the Brahamani N
12. Nurshingh Nath A tributary to the Tel Ba
13. Harishankar Jira river, a tributary to Tel Ba
14. Gosinga Jhar Kuaria Nala, a tributary to the Mahanadi N
15. Koiliharan A tributary to the Mahanadi N
16. Jharbada Mankada river a tributary to the Brahamani N
Hot Springs
There are only three hot springs which drain out mineral water, containing a very high percentage of
sulphur. One of them is at Deulijhara near Athamallik on the flood plains of the Mahanadi. The second
one is at Atri near Khurda. The third is located on the eastern slopes of the Eastern Ghats at Taptapani
of Ganjam district.
Tidal Rivers
The tidal sections of the rivers and their distributaries are confined to the lower reaches of the rivers in
the Odisha coastal plain. They vary as per the shape of the mouth, depth of the channel, and extension
of the sand bars in the river mouths. The tidal channels vary from a maximum of 90 km. in Brahmani to
a minimum of 5km in case of Baghuni from their respective mouths. The mahanadi is tidal for about
35km whereas the Devi, a distributary of the Mahanadi, is tidal 45km. following table gives a picture of
the tidal channels in Odisha.
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Scenic Wild Life
One of the greatest benefits of Odisha's vast expanses of unspoilt natural landscape has been its ability
to offer a protected yet natural habitat to the state's incredible wildlife.
Nandankanan
A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar. The Nandanakanan zoo lies in the splendid environs
of the Chandaka forest, along the rippling waters of the Kanjia lake. It also contains a botanical garden
and part of it has been declared as sanctuary.
Famous for its white tiger population, Nandanakanan or the Garden of Gods has become a hot favourite,
with visitors getting an excellent opportunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in their natural glory-in
an environment conductive to their growth. Over 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81
species of birds coexist in this deeply forested boundaries.
The zoo enjoys an excellent reputation internationally, for successfully breeding back panthers, Gharial
crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.
White Tiger Breeding
One of the rarest creatures in the world the regal white tiger received a new lease of life with the
important research and concentrated efforts initiated to try and breed them in the natural environs of
Nandankanan.
In 1980 on a day full of excitement and jubilation the first litter of white tigers were born to Deepak and
Ganga, two normal tawny tigers.
Subsequent litters of white tigers have been distributed to zoos both at home and aboard. Currently
Nandanakanan is home to over 34 white tigers.
Endangered species such as the Asiatic lion, 3 Indian crocodiles, Shanghai lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri
langur, India Panogolin, mouse, deer and countless birds, reptiles and fish have been breeding
successfully at Nandankanan.
Some of the other attractions of Nandankanan are the 34 aquaria which are home to large variety of
fresh water fishes. The reptile parks cave-like entrance is guarded by a lifesize dinosaur, inside,
numerous species of crocodiles, lizard's turtles and snakes share the park with natural ease.
The rope way connecting the zoo with the botanical garden over the lake, the boating facilities and the
toy train for children have added new features.
Similipal
Apart from Nandankana Similipala is a national park of national reputation, which belongs to Mayurbhanj
district of Odisha. In this sanctuary the visitors have liberty to have glanced the movements of wild
animals from a safety distance, arranged by the authority. During winter a number of visitors visit this
park. This park is well connected with road ways. The guest houses of OTDC make smooth
arrangements for staying of visitors.
Gharial Breeding
For the first time ever, a captive breeding centre was created for Gharial crocodiles. This important task
was also facilitated by the gift of an adult male from the Frankfurt zoo.
Safaris
The white tiger Safari established in 1991 offers visitors the heady excitement of viewing the rare white
tigers from specially designed protected buses.
The lion safari offers an adventurous zing to the trip to Nadankana.
The Chandaka Elephant Reserve
Only one of its kind. It is perfect for eco-tourism activities. Apart from the fabulous Elephants, Cheetah,
Bear, Peafowl, Sambar and numerous other animals roam around doing their business unhampered.
Bhitarakanika
Bhitarakanika wild life sanctuary is in north eastern coastal plain of newly found Kendrapada district. It
covers on the area of about 650sq.kms (anonymous, 1986) of which approximately 380 sq.kms is under
forest cover (map No.2). However, the core area of Bhitarakanika is 141.44 sq. which includes 115.5
sq.kms of mangrove forest. It is bounded by the river Dhamra (Confluence of Brahamni and Baitarani),
Brahmani and about 35 kms long stretch of sea shore. It is indeed a treat to visit Bhitarakanika either
through Chandbali or through Rajnagar/ Gupti, from where one has to take a motor launch ride to visit
this many splendoured estuary.
The music of streams flowing from mud flats after the tide, as one navigates through the creeks,
particularly in summer months is indeed breath taking. Unlike many protected areas one can visit this
park round the year, except for short periods, when it is closed to visitors for census operation or for
nesting etc. The fauna includes estuarine crocodile, fishing cat, Cheetah, Sambar, water monitor lizard,
python, king cobra, dolphin and many species of resident and migratory birds, like white bellied sea
eagle, Brhaminy and Pariah kites, vulture, cormorant , darter, king fishers, open billed stork, white ibis,
painted stork, whistling teals, Brahamini duck, pochards, bar headed geese, herons, and egrets.
Gahiramatha
It is close to Bhitarkanika. The list shall remain incomplete if mention is not made of Gahirmatha rookery
of olive Ridley sea turtles which have made this the largest nesting ground of the species in the world
where up to 6, 00,000 female turtle nest. It is fascinating experience to cruise through the estuarine
rivers flanked by dense mangrove vegetation and stay in a forest Rest Houses at Dangmal, Ekaula,
Habelikhati or Gupti.
Satakosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary
Satakosia Gorge wildlife in heart of Odisha has the potential of becoming one of the finest protected
areas in the country but so far not much support has been given to this. This sanctuary alongwith
Baisipalli spread on either side of Mahanadi boasts of Tiger, Leopard, Elephant gaur, Sambar, Cheetal,
Barking deer, Malabar giant squirrel, Gharial, Mugger, Python, King cobra, Pea fowl, Red jungle fowl,
Hornbills, hill myna migratory birds in the rivers etc. A gharial research center and interpretation centre
are located close to the forest Rest House at Tikarapada. A cruise through the Satakosia Gorge is an
unforgettable experience.
