Baisipali Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife refuge in Nayagarh district, India
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Eastern Ghats mountains, where the Mahanadi River cuts through a deep gorge and the land rises across varying elevations. The protected area covers sal-dominated forests that extend from sea level to around 900 meters in altitude.
The sanctuary was established by the Odisha government in 1981 to protect the forest and its wildlife. It later became part of a larger tiger conservation effort, reflecting growing recognition of its importance for protecting big cats and their habitats.
The name Baisipalli comes from twenty-two villages situated within the protected area, showing how local communities have long ties to these forests. People here have developed ways of living alongside the natural world for generations.
Visiting is easiest during drier months when paths are more accessible and animals are more active. The sanctuary offers guided routes and boat trips that help visitors explore the landscape and see wildlife in their natural habitat.
The sanctuary is home to several large predators including tigers, leopards, and elephants that share the same sal forests. This coexistence of multiple cat species in one area is unusual and offers insights into how different hunters manage the same landscape.
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