Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread out in an area of 282 sq km, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Balasore district is a pristine forest land where one can sight cheetals, elephant herds, and Malabar giant squirrels among various other species of wildlife. The Kuldiha forest, covered with dense sal, rosewood, shimul trees and a host of parasitic trees, boasts of a rich flora and fauna. On the northwest direction of the sanctuary, there is Risia Dam, which provides an excellent opportunity for birding. There is a forest rest house deep inside the forest and at another spot—Jhorachua—located within the sanctuary; the latter has a watch tower nearby.
Prior permission is required from the Divisional Forest Office for booking accommodation in the forest rest houses. Panchalingeswar too is a beautiful picnic spot with a Shiva temple having five Shivalingas on a hilltop and a pond nearby surrounded by dense forest. Herds of elephants visit the pond in summer to drink water. For day visitors, the exit time from sanctuary is 5.30 pm. Visitors can stay overnight to experience the wildlife in abundance. There is no electricity and phone network inside the sanctuary. Summer is the best time to visit.