Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful forest reserves in the country, located in Orissa’s Baragarh district about 40 km from Sambalpur. Surrounded by the magnificent Hirakud Dam on the North-east.
Debrigarh Sanctuary spreading over 347 Sq Kms is an excellent habitat for Leopard, Bison, Sambar, Elephants, Wild Boar, Chital, Chousingha, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Nilgai etc and being flanked by the Hirakud Dam attracts thousands of migratory birds to the landscape.
Tourism inside the sanctuary is entirely managed by people of four villages. Boating facility can be availed in the protected area of the sanctuary.
One of the popular sites within the sanctuary is the waterfall named Ushakothi.
There is a historical side to Debrigarh sanctuary as well. During the freedom struggle, freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai hid himself in the forests on the hilltop of Barapahar and fought a war against the British. He was captured by the British from his hideout inside the sanctuary.
All together it is a nice picnic spot amidst jungle and lake. The lake created by Hirakud dam provides a natural boundary and protection to the flora and fauna from one side. Apart from site seeing, boating, animal safaris this place holds the natural greenery and mountains that will make your travel certainly worthy.
Trekking:
Only those who are extremely fit and have some experience should climb this hill, and that too not alone, since there may be wild animals anywhere. Don’t forget to carry Trekking shoes along with you whenever you plan to visit this place.
Facilities
| Wild Safari | Boating |
| Cottage accommodation | Watch Tower |
| Drinking Water | Tolilets |
| Safe Vehicle stand | Mobile connectivity |
Flora and Fauna:
- Immense array of biodiversity, a large number of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes are found here like Chausingha, Gaur, elephant,Sambar and Spotted Deer, Bear, Leopard, porcupine, Jackal, Fox, Wolf, Hyena, Wild Dog etc
- Besides, a host of resident and migratory birds such as the chousingha and the crested serpent eagle add color to the landscape. The mugger crocodiles and freshwater turtles residing in large numbers add to the diversity of the forest reserve.
Essential items to carry:
Camera, trekking gear, torch, mosquito repellent, medicine and first aid kit.
Best Time to reach:
Best time to reach by 6:00am to 6:00pm from Dhodrokusum to Chourasimal on the forest road(21 km approximately).
Advisory:
Make your vehicles fuel tank full and keep necessary cash with you as Nearest ATM , petrol pump is at Burla which is around 20 KM away. .
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit is during winter and Summer(November-June). Not advisable in rainy season.
Nearest Attraction:
- Ushakothi Waterfall
- Hirakud Dam (15 km away), is the largest manmade water body in Asia and covers one third of the landscape boundary on the eastern side of the sanctuary. During winter, a large number of migratory birds flock the reservoir.
- Leaning Temple of Lord Bimaleswar at Human (65 km away).
Tourists From where:
Large no of tourist flocks from nearby districts and from coastal belts of Orissa. Tourists from Chatisgarh, Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhyapradesh as well. This is one of the best place for school/college excursion.
Restaurant:
There are six eco-tourism cottages in the sanctuary at Barkhandia and each cottage would cost Rs. 1600 per night, which would include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation is available at the Forest Rest Houses in Dhodrokusum and Dechua at Rs. 200 per day.
Transportation:
There is no government bus available to this Sanctuary. But nearest bus stop is Burla which is around 20 km from Sambalpur. From there you can hire a car and move on to the sanctuary which is around 20 to 25 Km away.
How to reach:
- By Air: Nearest Airport is Raipur and Bhubaneswar(BBI).
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Sambalpur which is 40km Away.
Sambalpur railway station which is 110km
Bamra railway station 75km
- By Road: The Sanctuary can be entered through Dhodrokusum by the Hirakud reservoir and is situated 60 kms from Baragarh and 40 kms from Sambalpur.
Ideal way to reach:
- Nearest railsway station is Hirakud station.
- However one is advised to get down at Sambalpur junction and book a cab to the sanctuary.
- State transport and Private buses ply to Sambalpur and Burla at regular intervals from Bhubaneswar. One will be advised to take the over night train or bus to reach the sanctuary if you are coming from Bhubaneswar.
Best way to reach:
- Start from sambalpur to Burla->18km
- From Burla cross the Ashok Niwas
- Take the right dyke road of Hirakud Dam to Dhodrokusum to reach the sanctuary gate. ->20km
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