The Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary near Konark in Puri district reopened for general public on Thursday with DFO Harshvardhan Udgata and other officers welcoming tourists with flowers to the sanctuary in the morning.
The sanctuary, which spreads along the coast between Puri and Konark, is home to spotted deer, rare blackbucks, stripped hyena and jungle cats.
Two rivers namely, the Nuanai and the Kushabhadra, pass through the sanctuary. The sanctuary having more than 30 springs is also home to more than 300 species of rare plants and animals. Tourists can stay at hotels in Puri or Konark and visit the sanctuary during the daytime.