Ipsa Tripathy
Bhubaneswar: In western Odisha, where the forests of the Baragarh and Sambalpur region meet the vast waters of the Hirakud Reservoir, lies Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across roughly 347 square kilometres, Debrigarh is one of Odisha’s important protected landscapes. Its ecological character comes from the close relationship between dry deciduous forests, hills, grasslands and the reservoir, creating habitats for a remarkable range of terrestrial and aquatic species.
Debrigarh was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985. Its landscape is particularly distinctive because the Hirakud Reservoir borders the sanctuary on its eastern and northern sides. This combination of forest and water makes Debrigarh different from many other protected areas in Odisha. The reservoir provides habitat for fish and aquatic organisms and attracts resident as well as migratory birds, especially during winter. The sanctuary therefore supports biodiversity both on land and around the water body.
The forests of Debrigarh support a wide variety of wildlife. Indian gaur, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, sloth bear, leopard and four horned antelope are among the important mammals found here. The four horned antelope, locally known as chousingha, is particularly significant because of its conservation importance. The sanctuary also supports the Indian dhole, along with numerous reptiles, amphibians and smaller mammals.
The biodiversity of Debrigarh extends far beyond its large animals. An inventory conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board documented 582 plant species, including 450 species of flowering plants, two species of gymnosperms, 20 species of bryophytes, 20 species of pteridophytes, 10 species of orchids and 30 species of fungi. The same study documented 301 animal species belonging to different groups. These findings illustrate that the ecological importance of the sanctuary lies not only in its easily visible wildlife but also in its less noticeable plants, fungi and smaller organisms.
Birdlife is another major feature of the sanctuary. Odisha Tourism records more than 230 bird species in Debrigarh, while the presence of the Hirakud Reservoir provides additional habitat for waterbirds. During winter, migratory birds add another dimension to the biodiversity of the area. The combination of forest habitats and a large water body allows species with very different ecological requirements to occur within the same broader landscape.
Debrigarh also has an important historical connection. During his resistance against British rule, freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai used Barapathara inside the sanctuary as one of his bases. The landscape therefore carries both ecological and historical significance. The hills and forests that provide shelter to wildlife also formed part of an important chapter in Odisha’s history.
Conservation in Debrigarh involves more than protecting individual animals. Maintaining an intact habitat is essential because wildlife depends on functioning ecological relationships. Herbivores require adequate vegetation and water, predators depend on prey populations, and birds and insects rely on particular plants and habitats. Protecting the forest therefore helps preserve an interconnected biological system rather than simply protecting a list of individual species.
The sanctuary has also undergone changes in its relationship with human settlements. Government conservation documents record the relocation of villages from the sanctuary area as part of efforts to restore wildlife habitat. During 2021 and 2022, three villages, namely Kurumkel, Rengali and Bhutuli, involving about 359 families, were relocated. An additional 41 families from Lambipali were also relocated. Such measures are significant because conservation sometimes requires difficult decisions about how human settlement and wildlife habitat can coexist. At the same time, relocation must involve proper rehabilitation and consideration of the rights and livelihoods of affected communities.
The sanctuary also faces continuing protection challenges. Its extensive shoreline along the Hirakud Reservoir can provide access to parts of the protected area by boat. Forest authorities have therefore increased surveillance during the monsoon period, when concerns include poaching, timber smuggling and unauthorised human entry. In 2026, the Hirakud Wildlife Division introduced additional patrolling and emergency response measures for the sanctuary during the monsoon season.
Debrigarh has increasingly become an important destination for nature based tourism. Visitors can experience wildlife safaris, birdwatching and trekking while also observing the landscape around the Hirakud Reservoir. However, tourism in a protected area has to remain compatible with conservation. The value of Debrigarh lies precisely in the ecological conditions that allow wildlife to live there, and tourism should not compromise those conditions.
What makes Debrigarh particularly valuable is this combination of habitats and ecological processes. A forest landscape surrounds a major reservoir, creating opportunities for terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity to exist alongside one another. Its population of large herbivores, predators, birds and smaller organisms demonstrates the importance of maintaining connected and protected habitats.
Debrigarh is therefore more than a destination for wildlife viewing. It is a functioning ecological landscape where forests, water, animals and plants interact continuously. Protecting it means protecting those relationships. As development and human activity continue to place pressure on natural habitats, landscapes such as Debrigarh demonstrate why conservation requires long term protection of ecosystems rather than attention only to individual species.
