In the Indian state of Odisha, the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Balasore district. In the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, the sanctuary covers 272.75 km2 (105 sq mi). The Sukhupada and Nato hill range connect it to Simlipal National Park. The Eastern Highlands’ moist deciduous woods ecoregion is named after it. For a night’s stay, you must make a reservation in advance. It is usually closed between July and September when the monsoon season is at its peak. In 2012, a major fire devoured both the Simlipal and Kuldiha woods, causing substantial plant and fauna destruction. The government designated the sanctuary as an ecologically sensitive zone on August 2, 2013.
Tourism :
Kuldiha is a popular tourist destination in northern Odisha, attracting both visitors and academics.
Odisha’s government recognized that private operators were causing environmental harm to several parks, sanctuaries, and reserves, posing a long-term threat to biodiversity. It devised an ecotourism strategy to preserve the natural world’s pristine status while making it economically feasible through a public-private partnership model. The Kuldiha Sanctuary is run on a community-based ecotourism strategy that helps the villagers and tribesmen that live in the sanctuary’s core area.
Access:
Bhubaneswar and Kolkata are nearly equidistant from the sanctuary. It is easy to get there from Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha. Biju Patnaik International Airport is the closest airport. Balasore railway station is the closest station. Take NH16 (formerly NH5) to Nilagiri and exit at State Highway 19, where a picturesque small road leads to the sanctuary entrance.
Fauna and Flora
The Sal tree dominates this mixed deciduous forest. Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Sambars, Giant Squirrels, Hill Mynas, Peafowl, Hornbills, and other migratory birds and reptiles all live in the jungle. This study includes a complete scientific report on the animal species found in the park. The refuge serves as a study and conservation center for the environment and animals. There are several scientific surveys and papers available that focus on the sanctuary’s flora and animals.
