Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary

Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is a 175.79 sq km protected forest spread across Khordha and Cuttack districts on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Established in 1982, it is known as an elephant reserve of the Eastern Ghats and protects elephants, leopards, deer, and diverse birds. The sanctuary features scrub and deciduous forest, reservoirs like Deras and Jhumka, watch towers and eco-tourism facilities near the state capital.

Visitors can expect a forested landscape of the Eastern Ghats with sal and mixed deciduous vegetation, small hills and water bodies. The sanctuary offers jeep safaris and nature walks along forest tracks, wildlife viewing from watch towers such as Kochilaberana, Pitagadia and Charichhak, and birdwatching around Deras and Jhumka dams. Facilities include an interpretation centre at Godibari, forest rest houses and eco-cottages, and boating at Deras reservoir.

Notified as Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary in August 1982 with an area of 175.79 sq km to provide a protected habitat for elephants dispersing from nearby forests and to conserve the Eastern Ghats ecosystem near Bhubaneswar. It was developed as an elephant sanctuary and later supported under Project Elephant, with reservoirs Deras and Jhumka and forest rest houses developed for conservation and eco-tourism.