Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)

Context:

The Government of Odisha has notified three Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) i.e. Mandasaru Hills, Mahendragiri Hills and Gandhamardan Hills.

About Biodiversity Heritage Sites: 

  • The ‘Biodiversity Heritage Sites’ are unique ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components:
    • Richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories.
    • High endemism.
    • Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance.
    • Wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties.
  • Under Section-37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the State Government, in consultation with local bodies, may notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.

Mandasaru Hills:

  • They are located in the eastern part of Kandhamal District of Odisha.

Mahendragiri:

  • It is a mountain in Rayagada block of the district of Gajapati, Odisha.

Gandhamardan Hills:

  • It is a hill located in between Balangir and Bargarh district of Odisha.

News Source: PIB

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