Bhubaneswar: The Gupteswar Forest in Koraput district has achieved a significant milestone by attaining the status of a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act 2002, as announced by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) via its ‘X’ handle.
Noteworthy for its diverse ecosystem, the Gupteswar forest boasts a remarkable collection of at least 608 faunal species. The richness of its floral diversity is evident in the presence of 182 tree species, 76 shrub species, 177 herb species, 69 climber species, and 14 orchid species, including threatened medicinal plants.
The recognition as a Biodiversity Heritage Site underscores the ecological importance of the Gupteswar forest, emphasizing its unique terrestrial ecosystem that houses a wide array of flora and fauna, making it a precious gift of nature, as highlighted by the CMO.