Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary – 2 Day Trip
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated about 40 km from the Sambalpur Town, Odisha.
It’s sprawling across ~350 square k.m. It is adjacent to the Hirakud Reservoir spread across 35 miles (Asia’s largest man-made waterbody) which is created due to the famous Hirakud Dam, World’s Longest Dam (15 k.m. or 9 miles) built on the Mahanadi River, the largest river in Odisha. It is one of the few sanctuaries in Odisha offering both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. This was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary on 8th February 1985.
It has a historical importance as well. The legendary freedom fighter from this region Veer Surendra Sai participated in the 1857 Mutiny against British Empire in India from this jungle of Debrigarh and Lohara reserve forests under the Barapahara Hills of Bargarh District in Odisha. This revolt around the country is also called first struggle for independence by Indians.
The Jungle Safari between the starting point Dhodrukusum and end point Chourasimal which has a Watch Tower is about 20 k.m and nature lovers will enjoy it the most. It’s a good place for Wildlife photography. It has variety of flora and fauna. Out of which easily seen creatures are Indian Gaur (Bison), 4-horned Antelopes or Chousingha, Peacock, Drongo etc.
Make sure you book the Jungle Safari Vehicles at least 2-4 days in advance in off season and 1 week in advance during peak season to avoid a hassle-free booking as personal vehicles are not allowed for jungle safari. However, you can bring your personal vehicle and park it near the open areas around the Visitor Orientation Center.
It is one of the 19 WildLife Sanctuary (WLS) in Odisha. India has around 533 Wild Life Sanctuary. The other WLS in Odisha are:
- Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
- Baisipali Wildlife Sanctuary
- Balimela Wildlife Sanctuary
- Balukhand Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chilika Nalaban island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gahirimatha Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary
- Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Khalasuni Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kondakameru Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Saptasajya Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary
The road trip from Gandhi Minar, Hirakud Reservoir to Debrigarh WLS along the Right Dyke Road is quite exhilarating. The Right Dyke Road gives the feeling of a marine drive, starting from its Zero Point to Main Gate of Debrigarh WLS covering about 10 k.m with a magnificent view of the Hirakud Reservoir Water on its one side.
The Right Dyke Road has few good points for Photography:
- Bargarh Main Canal Point
- Tourist Point
- Sunset View Point
If you finish your Debrigarh Jungle Safari by 5-5:30 PM local time and if you can hurry, you may be able to capture some candid shots at these points. The Sunset happens in this part of the world around 5:30-6:30pm local time depending on the month of the year. Don’t spend much time at one point on this Dyke Road and make sure you try to visit all 3 points before Sunset. Let me tell you will have a very small window of Sunlight in the evening to take photos here after your afternoon Jungle Safari.
Best time of the year to visit this sanctuary is from Nov to March during Winter.
How to reach?
By Air
The nearest airports are Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI)(300km), Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (IXR)(318km), Swami Vivekananda International Airport, Raipur (RPR) (265 K.M). A new airport is getting constructed at Jharsuguda which is about 50 km from here.
By Train
Sambalpur is one of the divisional head quarters of East Coast Railway and well connected to all major cities rail networks in country. It has 4 railway stations
- Khetrajpur, Sambalpur
- Fatak, Sambalpur Road
- Hirakud
- Sambalpur City
By Road
N.H. 6 – The Mumbai to Kolkata N.H.6 passes thru Sambalpur
N.H. 42 – Sambalpur is connected to Bhubaneswar via this road.
Where to Stay?
Eco tourism cottage within Sanctuary at Barkhandia. This is called Debrigarh Nature Camp. There are 6 such cottages. But quite pricey due to demand for budget travelers. There are no other hotels to stay nearby in the sanctuary.
Best to book a hotel in Sambalpur Town and hire a full day cab to visit and you can also bring your 4-wheeler and park it near ticket counter of Debrigarh Safari. You can start your journey in the morning 9-10 am local time from Sambalpur town along Burla University Road and go to the Gandhi Minar, Hirakud. Better to have breakfast in Sambalpur and start your journey.
What to do?
You can do below activities offered by the official website of Odisha Forest Development Cooperation (OFDC) echotourodisha.com.
- Debrigarh on Wheels
- Hirakud Cruise
- Island Odyssey
If you plan to do Hirakud Cruise, then do the Cruise in the morning first half, finish it off by 11-11:30 am, go up the Gandhi Minar for some photo shoot, Wrap up your photo session in 30 minutes. You can have lunch in the very average makeshift restaurant in between Burla to Gandhi Minar to save time. Gandhi Minar to Debrigarh Jungle Safari distance takes about 1.5hours. Go to safari in the second half, its start time is mostly scheduled from2:30 PM IST onwards. Remember to spend your time judiciously so that you get buffer time commute between these travel points and then you will have more time to spend on the sites.
If you have an extra day and you like visiting Hindu Temples, Visit the famous Leaning Temple of Huma which is 23 km South of Sambalpur. Come back have lunch in Sambalpur, take rest and in the evening 4-5pm the go to Maa Samaleswari Temple, followed by Maa Pataneswari Temple which is just 2 km away from it. On both the day (Jungle Safari Day and next day) late evening you can visit the markets around in the Sambalpur city and buy the G.I. trademark Sambalpuri Dresses, Saris etc. which are handwoven by traditional weavers on traditional weaving equipment.
Hope you will have a good time visiting this place!!!
Happy Bites!!