Nilagiri: With the annual tourist season at Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Baleshwar district approaching, damaged roads and neglected visitor facilities have raised concerns over the Forest Department’s preparedness to welcome tourists.
Spread across 272.75 sq km of dense sal forest, the sanctuary generally remains open from November 1 to June 15.
However, several essential facilities remain in poor condition ahead of the scheduled opening, including internal roads and accommodation units. Known for its rich biodiversity, Kuldiha attracts tourists from Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal.
Its forests shelter elephants, tigers, bears, sambar and spotted deer, hares, nilgai, pangolins and peafowl, besides numerous resident and migratory birds.
The deteriorating road network has emerged as a major concern. Last repaired around four years ago, the roads have since suffered considerable damage.
Vegetation has overgrown several stretches, while rainwater runoff has washed away portions of the road surface, posing potential risks to visitors.
The Forest Rest House (FRH), built several years ago inside the sanctuary, has also fallen into disrepair due to inadequate maintenance.
The Rissia Nature Camp at Gohirabhol presents another challenge.
Established to promote safe tourism, it once offered nine tented cottages, toilets, lighting, a nature camp and boating facilities on the Rissia dam.
Overnight stays could be booked online for Rs 3,700, and the facility had also attracted foreign tourists.
Over time, the camp’s infrastructure deteriorated.
Tents were torn, furniture was damaged by termites, and venomous snakes reportedly entered the tents.
Trenches dug to prevent wildlife intrusion became filled with soil, allowing elephants and bears to enter the premises.
The solar power system stopped functioning, while boating services were discontinued.
The Forest Department dismantled the camp last year, planning to replace the old tents with new accommodation.
However, the project has remained stalled at the demolition stage for the past 10 months, leaving the site unused.
Baleshwar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pratik Prakash Indalkar said the sanctuary would open in November, but the date was yet to be finalised due to heavy rainfall this year.
The department would consult the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) before announcing the schedule.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Tatini Sethi said funds allocated in the previous financial year had been spent on the work undertaken, while the unspent amount had to be returned.
Fresh funds had since been received, and the department planned to resume operations at the Rissia Nature Camp by the New Year.
She added that the sanctuary would initially remain open only for daytime visits, with overnight stays suspended.
The sanctuary’s range officer could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
With the tourist season nearing, the unrepaired roads and delays in restoring accommodation facilities have raised questions over the readiness of one of Baleshwar district’s prominent wildlife destinations.
