Odisha’s Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary to reopen from Oct 2

Barang: The Chandaka-Dampara Elephant Sanctuary on outskirts of Bhubaneswar will reopen for visitors from October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

The wildlife reserve will be opened for public under certain restrictions in view of rapid spread of COVID-19.

As per the rule, the visitors will enter into the sanctuary via Chandaka-Godibari main gate.

“The visitors will be allowed into the elephant sanctuary with COVID-19 restrictions. The visitors will have to follow the COVID-19 rules by wearing mask and maintaining social distancing inside the forest. In this regard, the security personnel will be deployed at the sanctuary to enforce the norms,” informed Chandaka DFO Kedarnath Swain.

He said that all kinds of arrangements including accommodation and food have been made for the visitors.

The elephant sanctuary was closed for public since March 27 due to COVID-19 outbreak in Odisha.

The wildlife reserve is known for its splendour and pristinely home to many species. Spread over an area of 193.39 Sq.Km on the up land of North-Eastern Ghat of biotic region, Chandaka-Dampara sanctuary is a treasure house of biodiversity. The park is known for successful conservation of elephants which is the principal species here. It is also a home to a number of threatened wild animals and birds.