Answer: Odisha
Notes: The Odisha government designates Gupteswar forest in Koraput district as its fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), recognizing its unique and ecologically fragile ecosystems. BHS criteria include species richness, high endemism, rare and threatened species, keystone species, evolutionary significance, and cultural values. State governments, under the Biological Diversity Act, declare BHS in consultation with local bodies, framing rules for management and conservation. BHS helps combat biodiversity loss, vital for ecological security, urging conservation ethics within communities.
