Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha - Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

Odisha is paradise for wildlife lovers. Apart from the usual attractions of Chilika Lake for the migratory bird lovers and Similipal Tiger Reserve for tiger lovers, there are many more wildlife sanctuaries throughout the state that are still virgin and unexplored. In a series of few simple informative articles we will cover them one by one in this blog. The first one is Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the district of Balasore.      The forests of the region cover the Nato hills and Sukhupata hills going as far as till the Similipal National Park. One of the major Orissa wildlife sanctuaries, this Sanctuary is home to rare species of animals and plants. The Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across an area of 272.75 square kms covered with thick wooded forests and home to wild animals like tiger, elephant, leopards, sambar, bison, gaur and giant squirrels. The forest also houses a variety of birds like hornbills, hill myna and peafowl. The perennial streams that water the forests are home to a variety of reptiles. The government of the state of Orissa maintains the wildlife sanctuary which preserves the rare and endangered species of animals and plants.

As one reaches the perfect clearing in the jungle, leopards can be seen licking themselves clean on extended branches of trees, while elephants and deers forage the ground. Jungle Fowl and monkeys are common sight there.     Even in the moonlight, one can catch sharp shadows of the pachyderms from a distance of 20 metres. It is a truly enjoyable sight to see the elephants shovelling the earth with their feet and trunks to get at the salt balls below.

Yet it boasts of a healthy population of elephants along with deer, bison, bear and leopard. And if the forest guard is to be believed, the herbivores are regular visitors at the saltlick.      Though the lack of tourists has worked well for the forest, it has also resulted in the lack of preparedness among department officials to receive them.  One can feel the wildlife of elephants, bison, sambar, giant squirrel, leopard, varieties of birds like hill myna, peacock, hornbills and varieties of reptiles here.This sanctuary is located in the district of Balasore and is blessed with a charming forest and a variety of wildlife such as tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, giant collector, a numeral of bird species like hill myna, peafowl, hornbills and various reptiles.     A trek from Nilgiri amidst Kuldiha forests is worth enjoying. Two rest houses at Kuldiha and Jorachua and the perennial streams are treat for the visitors. Summer season is the best time to visit jungles to feel the wild nature of it. Summer season is the best time to visit jungles to feel the wild nature of it.

Similipal Tiger Reserve and National Park, Odisha

Odisha Government on Sunday open Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) and National Park in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district for tourists.

This year, the STR authorities have added two new features including bamboo huts and a birds’ garden for visitors to the sanctuary. The visitors can get new experience of staying in bamboo huts, said Regional Chief Conservator of Forests and STR Field Director Anup Kumar Nayak.He further said the tourists would have entertainment at the bird’s garden at Jamuani inside the STR.

Tourists will be allowed entry into the sanctuary through two entry points- one through the Kaliani check post from the Jashipur side and the other through Pithabata from the Baripada side. Tourists and their vehicles will be required to obtain entry passes from the Pithabata or Jashipur booking counters between 6 AM and 9 AM.

Night stay for tourists will be allowed at two forest rest houses- at Gududia and Jamuani- which are located close to the entry points. 

Simlipal National Park is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal Tiger Reserve (2750.00 km²), Hadgarh Wildlife sanctuary (191.06 km²) and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary (272.75 km²)).Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of Semul or red silk cotton trees that bloom abundantly in the locality.

The park has a protected area of 845.70 square kilometres (326.53 sq mi) and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani. Simlipal is home to ninety-nine Royal Bengal Tigers, 432 Wild elephants. Besides Simlipal is famous for Gaurs (Indian Bisons), Chausingha, as well as an orchidarium.

One can enter into Similipal through Pithabata (22 kilometres (14 mi) from Baripada) and 98 km via Jashipur. Entry permits can be obtained from the Range Officer, Pithabata check gate upon paying prescribed fees. Day visitors can enter between 6 AM & 12 Noon and visitors with reservation between 6 AM & 9 AM.