Odisha: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Third Tiger Reserve Underway in Wilderness

Odisha is set to get another feather on its cap – the state’s third – with another ‘awesome’ tiger reserve set to come up. ‘Awesome’ because of its geographic splendour, nestled between the vast Hirakud water reservoir and hills and forests stretching into the Eastern Ghats. 

The proposed Debrigarh Tiger Reserve is located in Bargarh and Sambalpur districts of West Odisha, spread across roughly 804 square kilometers along the Hirakud water reservoir.

Approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), it serves as Odisha’s third tiger reserve after Similipal and Satkosia.

The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, although, does not have a permanent, self-sustaining native tiger population, though occasional wandering or lone Royal Bengal Tigers have been spotted there.

The good news is that plans are underway by the state forest department to introduce and translocate Royal Bengal Tigers (RBT) into the sanctuary from other states.

Past annual wildlife censuses have occasionally recorded the presence or movement of a lone Royal Bengal Tiger using the sanctuary as part of a wider corridor

There is no established resident breeding population of tigers currently residing in the sanctuary yet.

A Rich Prey Base

The sanctuary features a high density of herbivores (such as chitals, gaur, and sambar), making it a well-prepared habitat for carnivores or a rich prey base.

In terms of size, the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary spans roughly 353 to 804 square kilometers (core and buffer combined), should make it the third largest Tiger Reserve in the state.

A Wildlife Sanctuary None Can Grudge

 The sanctuary houses dry deciduous forests, open grasslands, and the massive wetland ecosystem of the Ramsar-tagged Hirakud Reservoir.

Situated about 40 km from Sambalpur city, Debrigarh is couched in an excellent combination of wildlife and biodiversity

Primarily known for a thriving population of Indian gaur (bison), leopards, sambar deer, chital, wild boar, and the rare four-horned antelope (chousingha), alongside wild dogs (dholes), he habitat prides an air of wilderness that resonates across its expanse. 

The authorities’ in-charge of the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary are aware of factors that many of the resident species are attractive for poachers. This has compelled them take a community-based management approach, which has proved a success so far.       

There are designated areas, of course, for people, and buffer areas where communities are the stakeholders in the sanctuary’s eco-tourism industry.

Hirakud also plays host to lakhs of winter migratory birds of over 300 species in its backwaters.   

Winter Destination

Debrigarh's beauty shines through the stunning meeting point of the lush green forest and the vast, blue water of the Hirakud reservoir.

Further North, the Hirakud Dam is the longest earthen dam in the world, built across Mahanadi River, spanning a total length of 25.8 km, including dykes. It was inaugurated in 1957.   

This scenic landscape features tranquil water views, rolling hills, open meadows and aquifers that cascade down to become springs and dales.

When the sun goes down, it is and ethereal experience to spot grazing herbivores spread far and wide in the wilderness. 

Home of Bisons

Regardless of the fact that Indian bison (gaur) population in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is not the highest in India. But, Debrigarh has seen a successful rise in number to 848 bisons, based on the official gaur census conducted in January 2026. 

Larger contiguous forest landscapes—particularly the Western Ghats region across Nagarhole, Bandipur, Wayanad, and Mudumalai—hold the largest overall gaur population in the country, and the world. Interconnected parks like the Wayanad-Nagarhole-Mudumalai-Bandipur belt shelter thousands of individuals, surpassing individual sanctuary counts like Debrigarh.

Recognized as a dark sky location, clear nights offer remarkable views of stars above the calm forest canopy.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Odisha, with over 40 years’ experience in the profession.