(3) Wild animals and birds, of which the Asian
Elephant is the flagship species. Chital,
barking deer, mouse deer, wild pig, common
langur, Rhesus monkey, common Indian
mongoose, hyena, sloth bear, ratel, monitor
lizard and rock python are other animals.
Prominent birds are red jungle fowl, peafowl,
crested serpent eagle, great horned owl, etc.
(4) Deras, Jhumka and Kumarkhunti reservoirs,
surrounded by forested hillocks.
(5) Remains of BUALIGARH and CHURANG GARH
forts.

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
(i) Conducted tour in mini bus with guides between 0630-llOOhr. every Saturday/Sunday.
(ii) Trekking on animal trails with expert trackers.
(iii) Cycling through jungle track (with guide)
(iv) Hill climbing (with guide) Bird watching (with
guide)
(v) Elephant ride through jungle track.
(vi) Camping in watch towers deep inside forests
near water hole, sampling local delicacies
(vii) Censusing elephants/leopards in summer (with prior arrangement)
(viii) Jungle patrol
(ix) Elephant drives (during crop season with prior
arrangements).

Pangolin

CLIMATE
Temperature - 40 ° C (April- May) 10 ° C
(Winter nights December-
January)
Rain fall - 1200-1400mm
Humidity - 80%

BEST TIME TO VISIT
The sanctuary remains open for visitors all the year round. However, the best time to visit is from November to March.

HOW TO REACH THERE
Bhubaneswar, the nearest rail head (East Coast Railway) is well connected to Calcutta, Delhi,Mumbai and Chennai. Regular flights are also available from these cities by Indian Airlines or Sahara-Air.

Elephant Herd

Godibari entry gate - 20Km from Bhubaneswar, is half an hour's drive via Chandaka or Kantabada villages.

ENTRY POINTS
Distance from Bhubaneswar
(i) Godibari main entry gate - 20 Kms.
(ii) Deras entry gate - 20 Kms.
(iii) Minchinpatna entry gate - 37 Kms.

ACCOMODATION WITHIN THE SANCTUARY

(i) Forest Rest House, Deras - 2 suites,
(over looking the reservoir) each double
bedded
(ii) Watch tower, Ambilo - 2 rooms, each
double bedded
(iii) Watch tower, Kumarkhunti- 2 rooms, each
double bedded

Watch Tower at Kumarkhunti

PERMITS

Entry permits for the purposes of tourism (without night halts) can be had from Officers-in-charge of entry gates or from the Range Offices at Bhubaneswar, Chandaka and Minchinpatna.

Entry permits for the purposes of tourism with night halts inside the sanctuary, professional photography,scientific research, study and investigation of wildlife including reservation of accommodation and for conducted tours can be had from the office of the Wildlife Warden, Chandaka Wildlife Division/ Chief Wildlife Warden, Orissa.

Bird Life of the Sanctuary Near Kumarkhunti

ACCOMODATION ON THE PERIPHERY
There are many simple and star hotels at Bhubaneswar to suite different tastes and budget.
Minchinpatna - 2 rooms (double bedded)
Dampara - 2 rooms (double bedded)

COMMUNICATION
A wireless communication system covering all important points within and around the sanctuary has been established. During emergency this communication network will usually be available to multi-day trekkers through the established base
stations. At present the VHF base stations of the communication network in Chandaka are located at places like Godibari, Kumarkhunti, Deras, Chandaka, Minchinpatana, Pithakhia, Dampara and Bhubaneswar.

Ruins of a fort in the Sanctuary

PASSPORT / VISA / INSURANCE
Foreign visitors are required to produce valid passport, visa and insurance.

FOOD AVAILABILITY
All F.R.Hs/ Watch towers have crockery, cutlery and utensils. The Choukidar can cook simple meals if provisions are carried and supplied to him. There is no catering facility inside. Provisions are available at Kantabad or Chandaka villages.

Consumption of meat and liquor is not allowed inside the sanctuary, cooking and lighting of stoves /hearths in the open is not allowed. Visitors can carry packed foods.

CONTACTS
The Divisional Forest Officer & Wildlife Warden,
Chandaka Wildlife Division, Asian Elephant
Conservation and Research Complex, Gajo Vihar,
P.O: Baramunda, Bhubaneswar-751 003.
Tel. 0674-2384340.

A View of Chandka Forest

Wild animals have a right to live. Lei live peacefully by:
• Maintaining silence by not using rac
loudspeakers.
• Not littering the sanctuary and avoid
plastics & tetrapacks.
• Not burning fire and helping to extinguish forest
fire.
• Avoiding to go too close to animals.
• Not damaging the flora and fauna or picking
them up.
• By not using spotlights.

GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
» Collect Entry permit to the sanctuary in advancefrom the office of the D.F.O.-cum- Wildlife Warden, or from the Range Offices/ or from the entry gates after depositing application form, required declaration and on payment of
prescribed fees for the day of visit.Advance permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden for professional photographers is a MUST. Others may obtain such permission at the entry gate to the sanctuary or from Range Offices.
• Accommodation in F.R.H., Watchtowers is subject to advance reservation. Request for postponement/ cancellation of reservation is entertained if received atleast 24 hours before commencement. Advance deposits are not refundable but subject to adjustment against subsequent booking.
• Visitors with FRH/ watchtower reservation should reach the sanctuary gate by 4P.M. (in winter) or 5P.M.(in summer) being the latest check-in timings. Respective check-out timings are 6P.M. and 7P.M., which must be adhered to.
• Dress comfortably in eco-friendly colours preferably khaki, olive green, grey. Avoid guddy colours like red, yellow and white.
• Equip yourself with a pair of field boots,preferably ankle high. Chappals or sandals are not allowed.
• Keep a tube of mosquito repellant handy.
• Reporting time for conducted tour is half an hour before the scheduled departure. Report in time for preliminary briefing.
• In case you are interested in birds, collect a pair of binoculars and a reference book from the gate in-charge on payment of nominal fee.
• Keep entry permit ready for routine inspection.
• Stop when called upon to do so for security checks. Cooperate in baggage and vehicle checks, if required.
• Deposit if any weapon in your possession at the entrance gate and obtain a receipt for return ofthe same during checkout. Air gun is a weapon and prohibited under the Act.
• Engage a licensed eco-guide or forest staff during treks for proper interpretation of objects events/signs and symptoms, and to lead on the route.
• Keep your senses on high alert. Ask your guide anything peculiar you see, hear or smell for proper interpretation. Talk in low tones or gestures.
• Collect your non-biodegradable glass bottles;plastic, polythene or tetra packs in a bag or sac for disposal outside/ in special garbage bins.(This is essential to keep the nature pollutionfree and prevent its choking).
• Keep the campsites and rest house premises clean.
• Obey Wildlife Act and rules during your stay in the sanctuary.
• Report to the nearest beat/check-post the suspicious movement of any person(s) or vehicle(s) or carriage of weapon.
• Report death of any wild animal or findings of the remains thereof. Hand over animal parts or remains if picked up, at the check gate under proper acknowledgement.
• Ensure that all campfires or hearth fires are extinguished before decamping.
• Assist forest/ police officer soliciting your help for prevention of any offence or in any investigation.
• SHOOT with a CAMERA.
(We will appreciate your photographs for possible use, with due acknowledgement, in eco-tourism literature).

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO

• Seek/force entry without permit/improper permit.

• Reach the entry gate after latest check-in time i.e. 4 P.M. (winter), 5 P.M. (summer) and latest check-out time i.e. 6 P.M. (winter) and 7 P.M.(summer).

Forcibly stay in F.R.H. and watch tower not reserved for you.

Leave the group and trek in the sanctuary without a guide.

Talk loudly or gossip (you may miss animalvocalization, chirping of birds, feeding soundsor guide's interpretation).

Carry transistors, stereo or any music systemsinside.

Carry weapons, traps, nets, poisons, explosives etc. capable of injuring and killing animals.

Carry any meat (raw or cooked) or meatproducts and alcohol/narcotic drugs inside.

Carry pets, (pets may contract from or
communicate diseases to wild animals or create
nuisance for fellow visitors).

Collect specimens of plants or plant parts,animals or animal parts (irrespective of their population status) or even stones or other inanimate objects without valid permission.

Disfigure or write on trees, rocks, sign boards or walls.

Swim/take bath in the reservoirs. There are marsh crocodiles in them (survivors will be prosecuted).

Boat in water-bodies without department approved boatmen and non-payment of prescribed fees.

Approach too close to or tease animals (your guide will tell you safe distance of observation).

Feed (or attempt to do so) any free-living animal.

Fish in water bodies or engage some one in catching fish.

Be a litterlout; Scatter litter in irresponsible manner. (Remember, litter is harmful to soil, water, plant and animal life and to your fellow-visitors)

Throw burning cigarette butts on the forest floor(this may lead to uncontrolled forest fires).

Play outdoor games in forest.

Purchase/acquire/possess any article made up of any wild/captive animal body parts.

Purchase any wooden item from a person otherthan a licensed dealer.
!
Undermine local customs and traditions in any manner.

Encroach upon, or disturb the privacy of yourfellow visitor.

Remember: Right of admission to the sanctuary is reserved with the wildlife warden. Any breach of above conditions or those mentioned in the entry permit may entail cancellation of the permit under rule 31 of Wildlife Protection (Orissa) Rules, 1974, instant eviction and imposition of penalty under theAct.

The Sanctuary/Park is primarily established to protect, propagate and develop wildlife and its environment. You are a GUEST in some one else's home. Respect and revere nature, natural objects and the right of its voiceless denizens.
Go with a clean slate, as a student.....returnas a naturalist ..... with commitment to conserve.

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