Belghar Sanctuary

The tropical deciduous forest of Belghar Sanctuary is located at a distance of 158 kilometers from the city of Phulbani. The sanctuary spreads over a large area in the district of Kandhamal. The thick forest is home to a number of rare and endangered species of animals and plants. The pride of the forest however are the long tusked wild elephants that abound in plenty in the region.

The natural vegetation of Belghar Sanctuary comprises of the thick wooded trees that rise to great heights. The tusks of the wild animals are often used to carry the heavy trunks of the trees that are felled in the region. The fauna of Belghar Sanctuary comprises of small herbivores like the deer. A variety of aves are also found in the forests of Belghar Sanctuary.

The region is inhabited by the tribal people known as the Dogria Khond. The tribal folks practice shifting agriculture and also use the products yielded by the forests. The local drink of the tribal people is prepared by mixing the juice extracted from salap and dead palm.

Belghar Sanctuary is one of the popularly frequented Orissa wildlife sanctuaries visited by the nature lovers and the adventure seekers.