Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary owes its name to the narrow stretch of River Mahanadi i.e. “ Sat – kosh” or seven miles long near Tikarapada, 60 km south of Angul. Here Mahanadi has cut across the Eastern Ghats and is known for Gharials,Mugger crocodile and rare fresh water turtles like Chitra indica and Trionyx ( Aspidiretes gangeticus ) Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary covering an area of 795.59 sq. kms.has been notified vide Notification No. 12727/FF & AH Dated 19th May 1976 of Government of Odisha, Forest, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department U/s 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.