Gandhamardan Hills : Third Biodiversity Heritage Site In Odisha
News: The third biodiversity heritage location in Odisha was recently designated as the Gandhamardan Hills.
The Bargarh and Balangir districts of Odisha are home to the Gandhamardan Hill (Gandhamardan Reserve Forest).
This delicate ecosystem, which is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, is safeguarded by the Odisha Biodiversity Rules, 2012.
Biodiversity heritage sites are clearly designated areas with distinctive, delicate ecosystems.
They have a wide variety of wild and domesticated species, as well as keystone species, rare, and endangered species.
According to Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002, the State Government may designate areas of biodiversity significance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites after consulting with local organisations.
In India, there are 36 biodiverse heritage sites.