Located around 20 KM from Bhubaneswar, the Chandaka- Dampara forest range was once part of a huge forest stretching from the Eastern Ghats to Central India. With Bhubaneswar becoming the capital of Odisha, the forest was under huge pressure to the burgeoning needs of the growing city especially for land and timber. Finally in the year 1982 it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the State Govt, spread over approximately 193 Sq KM. What was once a forest teeming with the Royal Bengal Tigers and Leopards is now designated as Pachyderm Country with Elephants being the principal animal of the sanctuary.
There are three entry points to the sanctuary- Godibari, Deras and Dampara. The Ecotourism department of Govt of Odisha maintains three double bedded rooms at Godibari, In Deras and Dampara work is under way to set up bamboo cottages for overnight accommodation.
Godibari- The first entry point of the sanctuary, there are battery powered vehicles to take you around the forest and there are two resident elephants which provide much source of joy to children just watching them go about their activities. There are a souvenir shop and a café offering snacks also.
A full fledged meal is served only for guests with accommodation.
One can arrange for a family picnic also with proper permission and enlist the help of the staff.
Timings – The sanctuary is open from 9 am – 5pm.
Entry fee for Indian National – Rs.40/- ( please note that one ticket per person hold good for all the three gates provided one is accessing them on the same day within the stipulated time limits of the sanctuary)
Entry fee for Foreigners- Rs.200/-
For battery operated vehicles – Rs.100/- per person for a 4 km tour of the forest.
Accommodation – There are double bedded rooms as mentioned earlier at Godibari.
For booking and tariff’s log onto the website – www.ecotourodisha.com – click on Chandaka Godibari
Ph- 0674-2531891 / (M) - +91-7539821046 / +91- 9437279340
For information on Chandaka Wild Life sanctuary log onto the website- www.chandakawildlife.in
Deras- the beautiful irrigation dam makes this place along with the nearby Jhumuka Dam a must visit place for its scenic beauty.
Though currently there are no accommodation facilities for overnight stay available as the bamboo huts are under construction, Deras is lovely to spend a day with family and friends, one can undertake a trek to the forest and is an ideal picnic spot.
If one is in a spot of bother for the picnic arrangements, cooking etc, there is a shack at the entry point-Rakesh Snacks- the shop can provide all the requisite items from gas to utensils and even cook meals for people with prior bookings.
The proprietor of the shop is Mr. Rakesh and his coordinates are +91-9437978641, 8908123297, 9658338676
Timings & fee are the same as Godibari. There are no battery operated vehicles though
The only and most convenient way to reach Chandaka is to get your own vehicle or hire a cab or an auto to reach the place.