Copyright odishatv
"Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha's Balasore opened for tourists from Saturday, marking the start of the new tourist season for nature lovers. This year, the sanctuary introduces a new attraction as deer brought from Nandankanan Zoological Park have been released into the forest area, offering visitors a chance to observe them in their natural habitat.Advertisment As per reports, tourists will also be permitted to visit the Gadasimulia and Mechkund waterfalls this year, enhancing the appeal of the sanctuary. The move is expected to allow visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of these natural sites, which are among the key attractions within the reserve. Limited Facilities Compared to Similipal Despite the opening, tourism at Kuldiha has remained relatively modest compared to neighbouring Similipal National Park, which offers better infrastructure and visitor facilities, reportedly. Similipal has different entry and exit points, as well as occasional events are also allowed inside the park, whereas Kuldiha has only one gate serving both entry and exit. This limits tourists" movement within the sanctuary and restricts sightseeing opportunities.Advertisment Additionally, tourists are required to use their own vehicles for travel inside the sanctuary. The ranger explained that due to a shortage of staff, extensive arrangements could not be made. The exact number of visitors to Kuldiha is difficult to estimate, as it depends on the inflow during the season. Officials, however, hope that the inclusion of the two waterfalls will draw more visitors in the coming days, as sources said. Formal Opening by Forest Officials The sanctuary gate was formally opened at 8:00 am on Saturday by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) through a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Kuldiha Ranger Subrat Behera said, “Every year on November 1, our sanctuary opens, and this year we opened the gates at 8:00 am. We have repaired the road leading to the Nature Camp so that tourists do not face any problems. Our squad members will guide visitors to ensure a smooth experience. Two new waterfalls, Gadasimulia and Mechkund, have been made available for public visits this year. Due to limited staff, we continue to use the same entry and exit point, but visitors will be able to go inside, take a round, and return comfortably.”"
