Sajanagad: Nature camps, boating facility at Risia Dam and indigenous and exotic birds are major factors that have been drawing tourists to the Kuladiha Sanctuary in Balasore.
The 272.75 sq.km sanctuary is home to a large variety of fauna and flora. Elephants, bears, deer, hares, pangolins, peacocks, heron, pelicans, cormorants, harriers and India rollers are found in large numbers in the dam area in Sataghati, Risia, Purunapani, Jadachua, Mukhachatuyri and Kaimachaturi inside the sanctuary.
Mostly tourists from West Bengal come to this sanctuary, and the authorities have provided night stay facilities at Jadachua and Kuladiha.
Nine nature camps have been set up at Gohirabhola surrounded by trenches. Boating facility in the dam is another major attraction. A variety of cuisines are available for tourists. Security guards have been provided to tourists to help them move around in the sanctuary.
The forest department has fixed a charge of Rs 3,000 for each person per night. Tourists taking four-wheelers inside the sanctuary have to pay Rs 100 as entry fee for each vehicle, Rs 40 as personal entry fee and Rs 50 for camera.
The forest department has banned polythene, tobacco and consumption of meat inside the sanctuary.
During monsoon, the sanctuary is closed from June 15 to November 1. The sanctuary attracted 8,696 tourists in 2015-16; 8,694 in 2016-17; and 9,095 in 2017-18.
Ranger Laxman Pradhan hoped that more revenue will be generated in coming years. He added that attention is being paid to ensure that tourists can stay peacefully in nature camps.
PNN