Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary

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Forest Division: Puri (Wildlife) Division
District: Puri
Date of Notification: 01-09-1987
Notified Area: 87.00 Sq.kms
This sanctuary is situated at convenient location along sea coast between Puri and Konark. This Wildlife Sanctuary extends from Banki Muhan near Puri to Keluni Muhan near Daluakani. The sanctuary is filled with lush green vegetation, cashew and casuarina plantations and mangrove forest. Its undisturbed sandy beaches offer high potentialities for developing as a major eco-tourism spot in Odisha. The sanctuary is covered by plantation of casuarina and cashew trees. It is home to herds of herbivores (spotted deer), monkeys, jungle cat, hyena, monitor lizards, snakes etc. Olive Ridley sea turtles are seen nesting in the beach. Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is traversed by the rivulets such as Nuanai River, Kusabhadra River, Kadua River and Prachi River.

Quick Facts:

1. The landscape beauty of Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite ecotourism destination for both domestic and international tourists.
   
2. The flora of the area includes casuarina, acacia, cashew, eucalyptus, neem, karanjia etc.
3. The region is famous for the occurrence of a large number of blackbucks and spotted deer.
4. The prominent fauna also include monkey, squirrel, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, mongoose and variety of birds and reptiles.
5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles nest on the beaches.

How to reach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RArjzsf19vecxdYi9

By Road: The Puri-Konark Marine Drive road passes through this Sanctuary. Puri is only 3 km from the Sanctuary entry point.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Puri situated at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the Sanctuary.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar which is 60 Km away.

Facilities available:

1. Good road network including marine drive road.
2. The tourists can find the tranquillity and solitude of this Sanctuary on the calm sandy beaches.
3. Enchanting boat ride in the river Nuanai closed to its confluence with the sea, adds the beauty.
4. Nature camp at Nuania with tent accommodation (6Nos) for night stay.

Salient Detail-Geographic Extent: Longitudes 85° 51' to 86° 14'(east) Latitude 19° 54' to 19° 49'

Climate: Temperature in summer: 34°C(max), In winter: 16°C(min)

Villages: 30 villages with in the ESZ, Divisional Forest Officer, Puri Wildlife Division

Contact officer:
Phone No. 06752-228281, 06752-228281
Email: dfopuri@gmail.com

Best time to visit: November to February

Accommodation: There is no accommodation within the Sanctuary. Tourist can stay at Puri or Konark where a good number of hotels of different categories are available. Nature camp at Nuania with tent accommodation facilities in swiss cotton tents (6Nos) .