Category: Wildlife

The Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is a 346.91 km2 wildlife sanctuary located in the Bargarh district of Odisha, India. It is located near the Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur. The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a vital site for the preservation of native wildlife and their habitat. It is home to a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife. More than 40 mammalian species, 12 amphibian species, 200 bird species, 40 reptile species, 42 fish species, 39 odonates species, 85 butterfly species, and 38 spider species live in the sanctuary.
The massive Hirakud reservoir runs across the sanctuary on the east and north sides. It’s one of the state’s few sanctuaries that supports both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, as well as a large number of migratory waterfowl throughout the winter, and over 250 plant species, many of which have ethnobotanical and medicinal significance.
From an ecological and environmental aspect, the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is an Eco-sensitive Zone, and some enterprises or classes of businesses, as well as their operations and processes, are restricted within the Eco-sensitive zone.

How to reach?

Debrigarh is located 289 kilometers from Bhubaneswar and can be reached by road or train from Sambalpur, from which you can book a cab. Sambalpur has a railway station, and Jharsuguda has an airport. Debrigarh Nature Camp is located 40 kilometers from Sambalpur and is accessible via the dam’s right dyke from Sambalpur and Hirakud townships.

Satkosia is without a doubt one of Odisha’s most stunning ecosystems. It is a tiger reserve and a breeding center for freshwater crocodiles, gharial, and muggers, as well as having a spectacular gorge across the River Mahanadi. The Baisipalli Sanctuary is a short distance away. The Satkosia Tiger Reserve is made up of two wildlife sanctuaries: Satkosia Gorge and Baisipalli, which are spread across four districts: Angul, Nayagarh, Cuttack, and Boudh. The tiger reserve covers an area of 963.87 square kilometers, but the core area is only 523.61 square kilometers..

Tikarapada, Chhotakei, and Purunakote are the three entrance sites of Satkosia. Freshwater turtles such as Chitra indica and Aspidiretes gangeticus, as well as enormous gharials and muggers lazing in the sun on the riverbank, can be seen while boating in the authorized region of Mahanadi towards the gorge. The river is flanked on both sides by beautiful mountains. Even though there are forest rest homes in Chhotakei and Purunakote, the 10 eco-tents in Tikarpada, which are maintained by a group of tribal youths from Tikarpada village employed by the forest department for the purpose, are the most beautiful lodging units in Satkosia.

The youths are extremely friendly and helpful; they not only maintain the tents and lead guided nature treks through the forest, but they also cook for the visitors. They catch freshwater fish from the river on request and cook them in an open kitchen for visitors. Tourists can visit Tikarpada’s Gharial Research and Conservation Unit, which raises young sub-adult gharials in captivity. The Satkosia Wildlife Division has established a similar facility in Tarava village, where local communities host nature enthusiasts. Reservations for the forest rest houses and eco-tents can be made at www.satkosia.org. The Satkosia eco-system is approximately 200 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, which has the closest airport link. If traveling by road from Bhubaneswar, take the NH-6 to Cuttack and then the NH-42 to Dhenkanal and Angul. To enter Satkosia, obtain a permit at the Divisional Forest Office in Angul and then proceed to Pampasar, the main entry gate. To visit Satkosia, you must first obtain a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Angul, then travel to Pampasar, the main entry gate.

While Odisha has many wildlife sanctuaries, what makes Tikarpada unique is its efforts to reintroduce endangered gharials (crocodiles). The gharials that live here were reintroduced into the Mahanadi River ecosystem to increase their population. The wildlife sanctuary, which covers an area of 795.52 km2 and is located in the Angul District of Odisha, is also a popular tourist attraction because it is home to various species of turtles, snakes, and avifauna. The Satkosia Gorge, formed by the Mahanadi River as it flows through the hills surrounding Tikarpada, attracts more visitors for a sightseeing tour here. On their tour to this wildlife sanctuary, adventurers can also enjoy activities such as trekking, river rafting, and angling.

Flora and Fauna

Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary is well-known for its gharial breeding program, but it is also known for its diverse flora and fauna. Some of the fauna species that can be seen in this Odisha tourist destination include leopards, spotted deer, tigers, rhesus macaques, Indian Pittas, red jungle fowls, and pangolins. Tikarpada is also visited by tourists who want to see the avifauna species circling in the sky, which includes both migratory and indigenous birds.

Best Time To Visit

If you want to visit Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary, the months of October to February are considered to be the best. As long as the weather is pleasant, visitors can enjoy all of the activities available at the wildlife sanctuary.

How to reach 

The nearest airport to this sanctuary is Bhuwaneshwar’s Biju Patnaik Airport, which is approximately 114 kilometers away. You can also travel by road, as there is good connectivity from Angul, Dhenkanal, and Odisha’s other major cities. Angul, the nearest station, is 42 kilometers away. The Bhubaneswar railway station is another important railway station. Numerous buses run from the state’s major cities to the wildlife sanctuary.