Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur attracted a record number of visitors this year, generating Rs 6 crore in revenue.
Over 1.04 lakh tourists, including foreigners from Italy, France, USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, and Brazil, explored the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity and eco-tourism facilities.
Forest officials confirmed that Debrigarh eco-tourism earned Rs 5.01 crore in 2024–25 with 85,000 visitors. The latest figures show significant growth, highlighting the sanctuary’s rising popularity. Local communities benefit from tourism, which strengthens conservation efforts and creates sustainable livelihoods.
Debrigarh offers daily jungle safaris, wildlife tours, cruises, and island visits. The sanctuary hosts Indian bison, leopards, wild dogs, sambars, sloth bears, peacocks, and diverse bird species. A maximum of 53 safari trips operate daily, accommodating 340 tourists.
New facilities include homestays at Dhodrokusum Green Village, canopy walks, guided wildlife photography tours, and birding trails. Thirty-two new cottages will open soon, along with additional homestays and boats. The Dhodrokusum homestays provide tourists with authentic experiences of forest-edge living while supporting local communities.
The two-kilometre birding trail offers immersive experiences, allowing visitors to identify species by sight and sound. Debrigarh has evolved into a premier wildlife destination, blending conservation with tourism.
The sanctuary’s eco-tourism model demonstrates how biodiversity protection and livelihood growth can coexist. With rising foreign interest, Debrigarh continues to strengthen Odisha’s position on the global eco-tourism map.
