The Balasore Forest Division, in order to attract more tourists and tap the natural potential, is expanding its ecotourism project in Kuldiha.
The project has been undertaken in Gohirabholo in the buffer region of the Kuldiha sanctuary.
Under the project’s estimated cost of Rs 98 lakh, the department has added five more tents to the existing four and added other facilities like wash rooms and kitchens.
Each tent accommodates two persons. Besides, providing tent accommodation, for amusement of tourists, the department has made provision for boating, swing and hammock. It has constructed a watch tower and for safety against wild animals attack trenches and solar fencing have been made.
Besides, round the clock water through bore well, hot water is provided through solar heating panels for the tourists. The forest authorities provide night stay facilities in a patch, inside the Kuldiha sanctuary which is about eight km from the entry gate.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Harsh Bardhan Udgata said “The objective is to close the core area stay facility to keep the wildlife free from human movement disturbances. With addition of five more, nine tented accommodation, to house 18 tourists, is available now. Rs 2,500 is charged for two persons per tent which include accommodation and food. In the next phase similar facilities would be made in Bhograi,” he added.
“One can see herd of elephants near salt pits during morning and evening time. Other species of wild animal near the water tanks,” said an officer of the sanctuary.
As Kuldiha is connected to the Simlipal sanctuary, the habitants from the latter escape to the place via Natu, Satkosia and Hathgarh. The sanctuary is home to various floras such as sal, asan, kurmal and bandhan and houses animals like leopards, elephants, deer and other endangered species such as porcupine, bison and pangolin.
Apart from other snakes, big pythons too are found in the sanctuary spread in an area of 272.4 sq km.