Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary sits on the western shore of the Hirakud reservoir, straddling the Bargarh and Sambalpur districts of western Odisha. It is a forest of low hills and grassland run down to a very large man-made lake, and it has quietly become one of Odisha’s better-run wildlife destinations, with boat safaris on the water, jeep drives in the hills, and a hilltop that once hid a freedom fighter from the British.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a roughly 347 sq km forest reserve in Bargarh district, western Odisha, wrapped around the Hirakud reservoir. Declared a sanctuary in 1985, it is known for Indian gaur (bison), leopards, boat and jeep safaris, and the hill fort where freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai hid from British forces during the 1857 revolt.
Key takeaways
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 346.91 sq km in Bargarh district, Odisha, and was declared a sanctuary in 1985; the entry gate at Dhodrokusum is roughly 40 km from Sambalpur and 60 km from Bargarh, per the Odisha wildlife portal.
- The best time to visit is October to March, when the weather is dry and migratory ducks gather on the Hirakud reservoir.
- The sanctuary is a stronghold of Indian gaur (wild bison); the Divisional Forest Officer told PTI the gaur count rose from 670 to over 700 in six months (as reported 2025), and the leopard population is described as healthy.
- In July 2025 the Odisha Forest Department said it had received technical permission from the National Tiger Conservation Authority to convert Debrigarh into a tiger reserve; as of October 2026 tigers had not yet been introduced.
- Debrigarh was freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai’s fortified hideout, from where he waged guerrilla war against the British between 1857 and his surrender in May 1862.
- Stay at the Debrigarh Nature Camp on the reservoir, run by the Odisha Forest Development Corporation’s eco-tourism wing; book cottages, safaris and boating through the Odisha eco-tourism portal.
About Debrigarh and the Hirakud setting
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a mixed deciduous forest of about 346.91 sq km in Bargarh district, western Odisha, set along the western and southern edge of the Hirakud reservoir. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985. The land rises from the lakeshore into the Barapahad hills, so a single visit mixes open water, grassland and dry forest.
The reservoir is the sanctuary’s defining feature. Hirakud Dam, built across the Mahanadi river near Sambalpur, created one of India’s largest artificial lakes, and its water forms the sanctuary’s long eastern boundary. According to the Ramsar Information Sheet, the Hirakud Reservoir was designated a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site no. 2494) on 12 October 2021, covering about 65,400 hectares. The sanctuary shares more than 100 km of boundary with this wetland.
A note on area figures: travel and conservation sources list the sanctuary itself as about 346.91 sq km. A 2025 PTI report described a wider conservation landscape of roughly 1,000 sq km free of human habitation, combining about 353 sq km of sanctuary with around 700 sq km of wetland. The larger number refers to the lake-and-forest landscape, not the notified sanctuary alone.
| Location | Bargarh / Sambalpur districts, western Odisha |
| Area | About 346.91 sq km (notified sanctuary) |
| Declared a sanctuary | 1985 |
| Main entry gate | Dhodrokusum, at the end of the right dyke of Hirakud Dam |
| Setting | Barapahad hills along the Hirakud reservoir (Mahanadi) |
| Managed by | Hirakud Wildlife Division, Odisha Forest & Environment Dept |
| Nearest town | Sambalpur (about 40 km) |
Wildlife: gaur, leopard and the tiger-reserve plan
Debrigarh is best known for the Indian gaur, the wild bison of the Indian forests, which here moves in large herds across restored grassland. According to a 2025 PTI report, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Hirakud Wildlife Division, Anshu Pragya Das, said the gaur population had risen from 670 to over 700 in six months, and that the leopard population was “also good.” Other mammals recorded include sambar, spotted deer (chital), wild boar, the four-horned antelope (chousingha) and a recovering wild dog (dhole) population.
The forest is also serious birding country. An Odisha Tourism species list puts Debrigarh at roughly 40 mammal species, 234 bird species, 41 reptiles, 12 amphibians, 42 fish, 85 butterflies and more. The adjoining Hirakud wetland draws large numbers of migratory waterfowl from October to March, with the 2025 PTI report noting that lakhs of birds pass through on the flyway towards Chilika Lake.
On the question of tigers: as of October 2026, Debrigarh was not yet a tiger reserve and did not hold a resident tiger population. According to a PTI report updated 29 July 2025, the Odisha Forest Department said it had received technical permission from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to convert the sanctuary into a tiger reserve, and an expert committee had been formed to mark the core and buffer zones before any tigers are introduced. Treat the “tiger reserve” label as a plan in progress, not a finished status, and reconfirm before you travel.
Much of this recovery followed village relocation. The same PTI report says over 400 families were voluntarily moved out of the core area under a resettlement package, freeing about 500 hectares that have since been converted to grassland. That is why gaur and deer are now easier to see on the open meadows near the water.
Veer Surendra Sai and the Debrigarh hideout
Debrigarh was the fortified hideout of Veer Surendra Sai, the 19th-century freedom fighter from Sambalpur who fought British rule in western Odisha. Historical accounts place the Debrigarh peak in the Barapahad range as his main stronghold, a hill position from which rebels could watch the mountain passes around Sambalpur. After escaping jail in 1857, Surendra Sai used Debrigarh as an operational base and carried on guerrilla warfare until his surrender in May 1862.
The heritage is now part of the visit. According to the 2025 PTI report, a memorial to Surendra Sai has been developed inside the landscape with local historians, and the Bara Bakra pilgrimage site within the sanctuary draws more than 5,000 visitors a year during the Makar Sankranti festival. The link runs deep enough that the regional airport at Jharsuguda is itself named Veer Surendra Sai Airport.
Read this as attributed history and local tradition rather than a signposted fort you can tour: the hilltop is inside a protected forest, so access to the heritage points is through the forest department’s permitted routes and the memorial, not an independent trek.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is October to March, the dry winter window when daytime heat eases and migratory birds crowd the reservoir. Western Odisha summers are harsh, and the monsoon makes forest tracks difficult, so the cool season is both the most comfortable and the most rewarding for wildlife.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (peak) | October–March | Dry, pleasant days; migratory ducks and waterfowl on the lake; best for safaris and boating |
| Summer | April–June | Very hot in western Odisha; animals gather near water, but travel is uncomfortable |
| Monsoon | July–September | Green and full lake; some tracks and activities may be limited by rain |
How to reach Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Reach Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary via Sambalpur, the nearest city and railway hub, with the entry gate at Dhodrokusum about 40 km away by road. According to the Odisha wildlife portal, the sanctuary is entered through Dhodrokusum by the Hirakud reservoir, roughly 40 km from Sambalpur and about 60 km from Bargarh town. The gate sits at the end of the right dyke of Hirakud Dam.
By rail, Sambalpur is the practical railhead, well connected to Bhubaneswar, Howrah (Kolkata) and other cities. By air, Jharsuguda’s Veer Surendra Sai Airport is the nearest airport serving the region; Bhubaneswar, about 280 km from Sambalpur by road according to Outlook Traveller, offers the widest flight choice. By road, taxis and hotel cabs from Sambalpur are the usual way in, as there is no regular public transport to the forest gate.
| From | Distance / mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sambalpur | About 40 km by road | Nearest city and railway station; hire a taxi |
| Bargarh town | About 60 km by road | District headquarters (Odisha wildlife portal) |
| Hirakud Dam | About 20 km from Sambalpur | On the way; worth a stop |
| Jharsuguda (air) | Nearest airport (Veer Surendra Sai Airport) | Limited flights; confirm current schedules |
| Bhubaneswar (air) | About 280 km from Sambalpur | Widest flight connections (Outlook Traveller) |
Boat and jeep safaris, and things to do
The two signature experiences at Debrigarh are a boat safari on the Hirakud reservoir and a jeep drive through the grassland and forest. Boating lets you scan the shoreline and islands for gaur, deer and water birds; the jeep track covers the restored meadows where herds now graze in the open. According to the 2025 PTI report, the sanctuary runs a large fleet of safari vehicles daily and offers more than fifteen activities, including island visits, birding, kayaking and cycling.
Forest staff at Dhodrokusum arrange vehicle safaris on request for a separate charge, and boating is offered subject to prior intimation and water conditions. Guided foot treks are also possible with a forest guard; Outlook Traveller describes a long walking route from Dhodrokusum towards Chourasimal known for a resident gaur herd. Always take the accompanying guard and keep to permitted routes.
| Experience | Good to know | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep safari | Arranged at the gate / through your stay; pay separately; morning and afternoon slots | 2–3 hours |
| Boat safari / cruise | On the Hirakud reservoir; on prior intimation, weather permitting | 1–2 hours |
| Birdwatching | Best October–March along the shoreline and islands | Flexible |
| Guided foot trek | With a forest guard only; e.g. Dhodrokusum towards Chourasimal | Half day+ |
| Stargazing | Newly added rooms/sessions at the camp (per 2025 PTI report) | Evening |
A suggested two-day plan
Two days and one night is enough to see Debrigarh without rushing. A single long day from Sambalpur also works if you only want a boat ride and a short drive.
- Day 1: Drive from Sambalpur, stopping at Hirakud Dam. Check in at the Debrigarh Nature Camp by the reservoir. Take an afternoon boat safari, then an evening by the water or a stargazing session.
- Day 2: Early-morning jeep safari across the grassland for gaur and deer, breakfast at the camp, a short guided walk or the Surendra Sai memorial, then return via Sambalpur, with the Huma leaning temple on the way if time allows.
If you are building a longer wildlife trip in the state, pair it with the ideas in our Odisha travel guide and, for a bigger tiger-country forest, the Simlipal National Park guide.
Where to stay
The best base inside the forest is the Debrigarh Nature Camp on the reservoir, run by the eco-tourism wing of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation and operated with local staff. It sits on the water, with views over the lake and easy access to boating and birdwatching, and it is the one place that puts you inside the sanctuary at dawn and dusk. A government listing notes eco-tourism cottages at Debrigarh that can be booked online.
If the forest camp is full, Sambalpur town has the widest choice of ordinary hotels across budget and mid-range bands, about 40 km away, which also suits a day trip. The forest department has been expanding village homestays near the sanctuary; a rustic homestay at Dhodrokusum village had opened as of late 2025, and the Rs 71.19 crore eco-tourism plan (DPR approved by the Forest & Environment Department, reported November 2025) proposes more tents and log-house accommodation. Book the Nature Camp well ahead in the October–March peak.
| Option | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debrigarh Nature Camp | On the reservoir, inside the sanctuary | Govt eco-tourism cottages; book via the Odisha eco-tourism portal; limited rooms |
| Village homestay | Dhodrokusum and nearby villages | Simple, locally run; availability growing |
| Budget / mid-range hotels | Sambalpur town (about 40 km) | Widest choice; good fallback and day-trip base |
Food to try
Expect simple Odia and Sambalpuri home cooking rather than a restaurant scene. The Nature Camp serves set meals, and Sambalpur town is where you will find variety. Dishes worth trying include dalma (lentils cooked with vegetables), pakhala (lightly fermented rice in water, a summer staple served with fried sides), and local freshwater fish preparations, given the reservoir nearby. Carry your own snacks and plenty of water for safari hours, as there are no shops inside the forest.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Debrigarh trip is modest by Indian wildlife-travel standards, mostly because distances are short and the forest camp is government-run. The estimate below is a planning guide per person for a two-day, one-night trip based on two people sharing; treat every figure as indicative and reconfirm current rates before booking.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night, share of a cottage/room) | ₹1,500–4,000 | Forest camp vs Sambalpur hotel |
| Jeep + boat safari (share) | ₹800–1,800 | Paid at the gate; varies by group size |
| Local taxi (share, Sambalpur–gate–local) | ₹800–1,500 | Split between travellers |
| Meals and water | ₹500–900 | Camp meals and town food |
| Entry and incidentals | ₹200–500 | Entry ticket, camera, tips |
| Approx. total per person | ₹3,800–8,700 | Excludes long-distance travel to Sambalpur |
Permits, booking and rules
No special inner-line or state permit is needed to visit Debrigarh; what you do need is an entry ticket and forest permission, booked through the official channel. Entry permission is issued at the Dhodrokusum forest office at the end of the dyke road, and cottages, safaris and boating are booked through the Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com. Boating runs on prior intimation and is weather-dependent.
Entry fees, safari charges and timings are set by the forest department and change from time to time; published figures circulating online (for example an adult entry ticket of about ₹40, with free entry for small children) should be treated as indicative and reconfirmed on the official portal or at the gate. The usual forest rules apply: stay with your guide and vehicle, do not get down near animals, keep noise low, and carry out your waste. The sanctuary promotes a single-use-plastic-free regime, so avoid plastic bottles and packaging. Drone flying over a protected forest needs prior written permission from the forest authorities; do not assume it is allowed.
Practical tips
Debrigarh is well organised but remote, so plan for a forest setting with limited services. A few points worth knowing before you go:
- Cash and connectivity: Carry enough cash and small change; mobile signal and card/UPI acceptance can be patchy inside the forest. Draw money in Sambalpur.
- Book early: The Nature Camp has few rooms and fills fast in winter; book weeks ahead for October–March weekends.
- Medical: The nearest full hospitals are in Sambalpur. Carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines.
- What to pack: Light cottons plus a warm layer for winter mornings on the water, closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a refillable water bottle.
- Solo and women travellers: The forest camp and organised safaris are a safe, structured setting; as anywhere, plan to be back before dark and keep your itinerary shared with someone.
- Timing your day: Dawn and late afternoon are best for sightings; midday is quiet, so use it for meals and rest.
Nearby places
Debrigarh pairs naturally with Sambalpur’s own sights, so you can build a two- or three-day western Odisha loop around it. The reservoir, the dam and a famous riverside temple are all within an easy drive.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Hirakud Dam | About 20 km from Sambalpur | One of India’s largest earthen dams, across the Mahanadi; viewpoints over the reservoir |
| Huma leaning temple | Near Sambalpur, on the Mahanadi | Shiva temple known for its tilt; on the same western Odisha circuit (Odisha Tourism) |
| Sambalpur town | About 40 km | Base city; Samaleswari temple, markets and Sambalpuri textiles |
For wider routing across the state, including more of coastal and tribal Odisha, see our Odisha travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is in Bargarh district of western Odisha, on the western and southern shore of the Hirakud reservoir, close to the Sambalpur district boundary. The main entry gate at Dhodrokusum is about 40 km from Sambalpur city and roughly 60 km from Bargarh town, according to the Odisha wildlife portal.
Does Debrigarh have tigers?
As of October 2026, Debrigarh did not have a resident tiger population. According to a PTI report of 29 July 2025, Odisha’s forest department had received technical permission from the NTCA to develop Debrigarh as a tiger reserve, with an expert committee marking core and buffer zones before any tigers are introduced. Reconfirm the current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Debrigarh?
The best time to visit Debrigarh is October to March, the dry winter season. Days are pleasant, forest tracks are easy, and migratory ducks and other waterfowl gather on the Hirakud reservoir. Summers (April–June) are very hot in western Odisha, and the monsoon can limit tracks and activities, so plan for the cool months.
How do I book a safari or stay at Debrigarh?
Book cottages at the Debrigarh Nature Camp, jeep safaris and boating through the Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com, which is the official channel run by the forest department’s eco-tourism wing. Entry permission is also issued at the Dhodrokusum forest office. Rooms are limited and fill fast in winter, so book well ahead, especially for weekends.
What wildlife can I see at Debrigarh?
Debrigarh is best known for large herds of Indian gaur (wild bison) and for leopards, which a 2025 PTI report quoting the Divisional Forest Officer described as a healthy population. You can also see sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, the four-horned antelope and plentiful birds, especially migratory waterfowl on the reservoir between October and March.
What is the connection between Debrigarh and Veer Surendra Sai?
Debrigarh was the hill fortress of Veer Surendra Sai, the freedom fighter from Sambalpur who fought the British in the 19th century. Historical accounts describe the Debrigarh peak in the Barapahad range as his operational base, from where he waged guerrilla warfare from 1857 until his surrender in May 1862. A memorial to him has been developed in the landscape.
Last updated and sources
Go to Debrigarh if you want quiet, well-managed wildlife-watching with gaur herds, birds and a boat on a huge lake, plus a real slice of Odisha’s freedom-struggle history. The best window is October to March; carry cash, book the Nature Camp early, and reconfirm fees and the tiger-reserve status before you set out.
Last updated: 14 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Odisha Wildlife (Forest & Environment Dept) sanctuary listing, entrytickets-wildlife.odisha.gov.in; Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com; PTI via OrissaPOST, “Odisha’s Debrigarh set to become India’s newest tiger reserve,” orissapost.com; PTI via OrissaPOST, “Odisha to introduce tigers in Debrigarh,” updated 29 July 2025, orissapost.com; OdishaBytes, “Odisha’s Debrigarh plans log house, tents, canopy walkway after Rs 71 cr ecotourism project approval,” 30 November 2025, odishabytes.com; Outlook Traveller, “Odisha’s green secret: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary,” outlooktraveller.com; Ramsar Information Sheet, Hirakud Reservoir (site 2494, designated 12 October 2021), rsis.ramsar.org; Odisha Review (Govt of Odisha) articles on Veer Surendra Sai, magazines.odisha.gov.in. Accessed October 2026.
