[3] It is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a 22 km long gorge in the Eastern Ghats mountains.

The tiger reserve is located in the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.

The major herbivores include the Asian elephant which is found in large numbers and can often be seen crossing rivers.

Other reptiles include the indian python which can feed on large mammals like the spotted deer.

The decision was taken after the first big cat, a male Royal Bengal tiger that had been translocated from Kanha tiger reserve in MP to Satkosia in Nayagarh in June this year, was found dead in core area of the forest.