Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary Introduces Canopy Walk and Eco-Tents to Enhance Biodiversity Access
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A 300-meter canopy walkway suspended 100 feet above the forest floor at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary promises elevated views of the dense canopy and wildlife corridors surrounding Hirakud Reservoir. This engineering feat, constructed with steel cables and wooden platforms anchored to mature sal and bamboo trees, adheres to international safety standards set by the Wildlife Institute of India. Local contractors completed the initial phase in under six months, integrating anti-slip treads and emergency harness points for all 200 daily capacity visitors. The structure connects three observation towers, each equipped with binoculars for spotting leopards, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species documented in the 346-square-kilometer reserve.
The Odisha Tourism Department allocated Rs 5.2 crore for this expansion, part of a broader Rs 25 crore eco-tourism master plan approved in July 2025. Funding draws from the state’s 15% tourism levy on luxury accommodations, supplemented by central grants under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme. Construction minimized habitat disruption, with only 0.2% tree felling after environmental impact assessments confirmed no nesting sites in the selected zone. Community involvement included training 45 local Adivasi residents from nearby villages in maintenance roles, ensuring 60% of operational jobs go to indigenous groups.
Eco-tents and log house accommodations add 20 units to the sanctuary’s lodging, each spanning 400 square feet with solar-powered lighting and rainwater harvesting systems. These structures use reclaimed timber from sustainable forests, reducing carbon footprint by 40% compared to concrete alternatives. Guests access private decks overlooking the reservoir, where mugger crocodiles and otters frequent the 260-kilometer shoreline. Pricing starts at Rs 3,500 per night, including guided interpretations by certified naturalists who cover the sanctuary’s role as a tiger corridor linking Satkosia and Similipal reserves.
Upgraded safari vehicles, now numbering eight electric models, operate on 15-kilometer loop trails with motion-sensor cameras capturing real-time animal sightings for educational displays. Boat rides on the reservoir extend to two-hour eco-cruises, limited to 10 passengers per vessel to comply with noise pollution norms under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These vessels feature hybrid engines that cut fuel use by 30%, aligning with Odisha’s 2030 goal to make 50% of tourism assets net-zero. Interpretive centers at entry points showcase GIS maps of migration patterns, drawing from a 2024 census that recorded 28 leopard individuals and 120 herbivores.
Local economies benefit through a revenue-sharing model, where 25% of entry fees—Rs 50 for Indians and Rs 500 for foreigners—fund village cooperatives for handicraft sales and homestay linkages. This approach has already lifted annual incomes by 18% in pilot villages since 2023, per a state audit. The canopy walk opens in phases, with full access by March 2026, coinciding with peak migratory bird season. Enhanced digital booking via the Odisha Tourism app integrates QR codes for trail audio guides in six regional languages, streamlining visitor flow to prevent overcrowding.
Monitoring stations track footfall via RFID tags on tickets, capping daily entries at 500 to preserve ecological balance. Partnerships with the Forest Department introduce biodiversity offsets, planting 5,000 saplings annually to compensate for infrastructure. This development positions Debrigarh as a model for low-impact tourism, contrasting with high-density sites like Jim Corbett, where visitor limits exceed carrying capacity by 25%. Early reservations indicate a 35% uptick in bookings from urban centers like Bhubaneswar and Raipur, signaling broader appeal for immersive nature experiences.
