Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary
| Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary | |
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| କୁଲଡିହା ବନ୍ୟଜନ୍ତୁ ସଂରକ୍ଷଣାଳୟ | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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 Location of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha
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| Nearest city | Balasore |
| Coordinates | 21°12′N 86°18′E / 21.20°N 86.3°E |
| Area | 272.75 kilometres (169.48 mi) |
| Designated | January 4, 1984 |
| Visitors | 6340 (in 2015) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of Odisha |
| Website | http://www.kuldihatourism.com/ |
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary /.kʊldiːəhɑː/ (Odia: କୁଲଡିହା ବନ୍ୟଜନ୍ତୁ ସଂରକ୍ଷଣାଳୟ) is situated in Balasore district of Odisha, India. The sanctuary is spread across 272.75 km2 (105 sq mi) in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. It is linked with Simlipal National Park via Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges. It is classified as an Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
It was declared a sanctuary on 4 January 1984. It is famous for the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve that spreads across Simlipal, Kuldiha and Hadgarh wildlife reserves. Locally in Kuldiha, the elephant reserve is known as Tenda Elephant Reserve. There is a watch tower strategically created at Garsimulia for animal lovers to have a look at elephants taking bath or drinking water from a small stream that runs right through the reserve. The sanctuary offers night stay accommodation at Kuldiha entrance, Jadachua and Rishia in form of huts, tents and few concrete houses. Prior reservation is required for night stay. It is usually closed during peak monsoon season which typically falls between July and September months. Major fire was reported in 2012 that engulfed both Simlipal and Kuldiha forests causing significant damage to flora and fauna. The sanctuary has been declared an ecological sensitive zone as of August 2, 2013 by the government.
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