Kuldiha Sanctuary

As one reaches the perfect clearing in the jungle, leopards can be seen licking themselves clean on extended branches of trees, while elephants and deers forage the ground. Jungle Fowl and monkeys are common sight there.

Even in the moonlight,  one can catch sharp shadows of the pachyderms from a distance of 20 metres. It is a truly enjoyable sight to see the elephants shovelling the earth with their feet and trunks to get at the salt balls below.

Sprawled over 272 sq km, over rolling hills that rise to heights of 200 m at places, Kuldiha sanctuary in the Balasore district of Orissa, is not one of the well-known forests.

Yet it boasts of a healthy population of elephants along with deer, bison, bear and leopard. And if the forest guard is to be believed, the herbivores are regular visitors at the saltlick.

Though the lack of tourists has worked well for the forest, it has also resulted in the lack of preparedness among department officials to receive them.

It is advisable for those keen on visiting this sanctuary to carry food rations and direct the forest guard while he is preparing the meals. Forest guards here also double as guides, escorting visitors on foot through the woods. Such treks are enchanting, often revealing rock pools and streams otherwise hidden by the tangy undergrowth that abounds where shafts of sun hit the forest floor.

How to get there:

Take any train to Balasore and book a jeep for the 35 km journey to Kuldiha via Shergarh, Nilgiri and Sujnagarh. Jeep charge Rs 350. It is advisable to pay in advance to ensure that the jeep comes to pick you up on the day of departure.

Buses ply up to Nilgiri, but there is no surety of getting a connecting jeep to Kuldiha.

Where to stay:

At the forest bungalow. Room rent at the bungalow is Rs 200 per night, video camera charge is Rs 400 per day while a guide can be hired for Rs 200 per day. Take your own victuals. The guard at the bungalow will cook it for you. For bookings, contact the Range Officer, Nilgiri, at 9437060063, or write to the Divisional Forest Officer, Balasore wildlife division, Balasore.

The Telegraph