Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary….an unique Weekend Trip for Nature Lovers.

That was in January 2017 and I planned for a weekend trip to “Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary“ and was lucky to get accommodation at the F.R.H Kuldiha (Forest Rest House) at a very short notice.

“Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary” (କୁଲଡିହାବନ୍ୟଜନ୍ତୁସଂରକ୍ଷଣାଳୟ)

It is situated in Balasore district of Odisha,India.The sanctuary is spread across 272.75 kms in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. It is linked with “Simlipal National Park”via Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges. It is classified as an Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.

The sanctuary offers night stay accommodation at “Kuldiha entrance“, “Jadachua“and “Rishia“in form of huts, tents and few concrete houses. Prior reservation is required for night stay which is possible online too . The sanctuary is usually closed during peak monsoon season which typically falls between July and September months.

That was a beautiful experience of drive from Balasore to Kuldiha with tall Sal trees on both sides and without any mobile network connectivity.Just imagine the scenic views with no human presence and just calm & tranquil as if Nature whispers in your ears.Getting a glimpse of Giant Squirrels jumping from one tree to another and grazing on tender shoots was an awesome experience and our presence was never a hindrance for their movements.It was so beautiful to watch Golden spotted deers grazing on the vicinity and I took all these shots with my Nikon DSLR with 70-300 mm Nikor Lens.That was a Big male Golden spotted deer came for salt intake which is usually mixed with the soil and it’s a routine practice in any forest by forest staffs.I was really lucky that day to click a very close-up shot of this beautiful Peacock who is a regular visitor in most of the afternoons to eat rice served by some lady forest guards.Just awesome the feel which will remain in my memory for a life time.

That was a cute Bird though I don’t know exactly what breed but it was so cute I clicked this shot for my memories.That’s my team with whom I spent my beautiful memorable moments at Kuldiha.

Tourism

Kuldiha is an integral part of northern Odisha tourism. It attracts tourists and scholars alike.

Ecotourism

Odisha government took recognition of the environmental damage being done by private operators to many parks, sanctuaries and reserves resulting in a sustainable threat to biodiversity . It came up with an ecotourism focus to conserve the pristine state of nature while making it economically viable with a (Public–private partnership(PPP)model. Kuldiha sanctuary is operated in a community based ecotourism model that benefits locals/tribesmen inhabiting the core area of sanctuary.

How to reach Kuldiha

The sanctuary is almost equidistant from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata cities. It is easier to reach the place from Bhubaneswar, being the capital city of Odisha state. The nearest airport is “Biju Patnaik International Airport”. The nearest railway station is Balasore railway station . One can take National Highway 16 (India), (earlier designated NH5) and reach “Nilagiri” via State Highway 19. Thereafter scenic narrow road leads to the sanctuary entrance.

I would say…If you are a Nature lover then it’s a Beautiful location for spending weekends with friends and family.

•Thanks for sparing your moments with me on my journey in to Nature•

#CreativeSiba