The Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Odisha is an integral part of the Eastern Ghats and is known for its high level of biodiversity. This includes various forms of mammalian, avian, reptilian, and amphibian species. For the con-servation and management of such species to be effective, it is necessary for their level of genetic diversity to be under-stood. This helps the population adapt itself to the environment and make it resistant to diseases. In animal genetic research, Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA markers are useful in their own right because of several characteristics that these have and nuclear DNA does not. MtDNA is passed on from the mother, there are several copies in each cell, and the rate of mutation is higher than that of nuclear DNA. This enables the assessment of evolutionary relationships and the detection of genetic diversity. The proposed study involves the use of the in-silico approach, which uses publicly available DNA sequence data to analyze the variation of the mitochondrial genome of the selected species in the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. The proposed study does not disturb the animals, unlike other genetic studies, as it will use the in-silico approach to analyze the genetic variation of the selected species in the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. The analysis involves the use of mtDNA sequence data to calculate the genetic diversity components π and Hd. Moreover, neutrality tests are performed to decipher evolutionary and demographic processes. Information about population expansion, selection, and/or genetic bottleneck is generated by carrying out neutrality tests. The results of such tests are paramount in providing insights into the genetic status of the species. This information is essential for developing a plan for conservation, identifying priority species, and developing a mechanism to preserve the rich biodiversity present in the flora and fauna of Odisha.

Chandaka Wildlife Sanctury, Mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA), Genetic Diversity, In-silico Analysis, Neutrality Test