Udanti Sanctuary, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Udanti Sanctuary was created to protect wild buffaloes. Apart from occupying the south-eastern portion of Gariaband taluka of Raipur District, the sanctuary also adjoins Odisha state on the eastern side. Spread over an area of 247 sq km, the sanctuary was established in 1983 after the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was passed. The sanctuary has derived its name after River Udanti that flows through this region. In addition to wild buffaloes, the sanctuary is also an abode to tigers, antelopes, black bucks, jackals, foxes, bison, barking deer, wild dogs, hyenas and cobras. Magpie robins, herons, parrots, egrets and pea fowls form the bird population inhabiting the sanctuary.