Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

---

---

Forest Division: Balasore (Wildlife) Division
District: Balasore
Date of Notification: 04-01-1984
Notified Area: 272.75sq.km
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South – Western side of this Division notified under Section 18 of the Wildlife(Protection) Act, 1972 by the Govt. of Odisha, Forest, Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Department vide their Notification No. 243-FFAH dt.04.01.1984, published in the Odisha Gazette No.5 dt.03.02.1984 which comes under Deccan Peninsulain Chhotnagpur plateau of Garjat Hills. The Sanctuary includes Kuldiha, Devgiri and Tenda Reserved Forests and other Protected Forests. Kuldiha sanctuary area, adjoining Nilgiri forest in the North and Mayurbhanj Forest in West, is a typical representative of mixture of peninsular (coastal) Sal forest and moist mixed deciduous forest. It comes in the Biogeographic region of Deccan peninsular zone which is of enormous genetic and ecological importance with a variety of flora and fauna. The significance of the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary can be categorized as follows: It abodes a number of endangered and threatened wild animal species like Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Gaur, Mouse deer, Pangolin, Ratel, Giant squirrel etc. Besides that some endangered bird species like Hill myna, Woodpecker, Hornbill and Eagles are also found in the Sanctuary. It forms part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve and linked to Similipal Biosphere Reserve through Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, thus forming a vast landscape contributing to the cause of conservation of long ranging Asiatic Elephants and Tiger. It plays a significant role in ameliorating the local climate. It is the largest catchment which feeds to the major river and tributaries of the district along with maintaining the ground water regime of the locality. It is the major tourist destination in the District for nature lovers and one among the important tourist destinations of the State. Panchalingeswar, the sacred shrine of Lord Shiva, draws devotees from all corners of the State and outside.

Quick Facts:

1. Nature Education camps at Rissia in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. The mean annual rainfall is about 1630 mm & mean maximum temperature is 38° C during April – May and minimum 18° C during November–January. The maximum temperature at times touches beyond 42° C .
3. The air is quite humid with relative humidity always exceeding 70%.
4. The forests of Kuldiha are broadly divided into i) Northern tropical semi evergreen forests, ii) Peninsular (Coastal)Sal Forests, iii) Moist mixed deciduous forests and iv) Mixed Dry deciduous forests.
   
5. The total road length in the Sanctuary is 116.5 Km which needs regular maintenance every year.
6. There are 12 revenue villages including 54 hamlets and one encroached village(Chemchata) inside the Sanctuary.Besides this there are 66 revenue villages all around the protected area.

How to reach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RedpsJodJAjcwzmq8

By Road: From Bhubaneswar to Nature camp site inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary 235 Km. /4hr. 15 min. From Cuttack to Nature camp site inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary 206 Km. /3hr. 30 min. From Bhadrak to Nature camp site inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary 95 Km. /1hr. 45 min. From Kolkata to Nature camp site inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary 290 Km. /5hr. 00 min.

By Rail: Bhubaneswar to Balasore 206 Km. /3hr. 30 min. Cuttack to Balasore 175 Km. /3hr. 00 min. Bhadrak to Balasore 70 Km./1hr.00 min. Howrah to Balasore 221 Km. / 4 hr. 00 min.

By Air: Bhubaneswar (Biju Pattnayak International Airport). Kolkata Airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra BoseInternational Airport).

Facilities available:

1. 9 Nos. Tented accommodation have been established for the Nature lover/ Eco-tourist at Gohirabhola Nature campsite near Rissia Dam inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. All tents are double bedded with attached bath cum toilet in separate tent. Solar light, Solar Fans are fitted in thetents.Hot water supplied to each tent through separate pipeline.
3. Fooding is provided to the visitors in the dinning hall the site.
4. Other facilities available in the Eco-tourism complex includes boating, animal sighting at salt lick, and watchtowers, swing, slides, hammock, tea cottage, sit outs, tour guides have been provided for the visitors.

Salient Detail-Geographic Extent: Longitude 86° 26' to 86° 45'(East) and Latitude 21° 20' to 21° 30'(North)

Climate: Relative Humidity - Morning: 70-100%, Midday in summer: 30% Rainfall - 220cm(88 inches), rainy days: 100-130 days.

Villages: 12 villages inside and 66 villages outside the sanctuary, Divisional Forest Officer, Balasore Wildlife Division, Balasore.

Contact officer:
Phone: 06782- 256142, 06782 – 256968
Mobile: +91-9437062743
EMail: dfobalasorewl.od@gov.in

Best time to visit: October to May.

Accommodation: Available at Gohirabhol.