Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary, Wildlife refuge in Khordha district, India
Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary is a wildlife refuge in Khordha district, Odisha state, spreading across hilly terrain and dense forest near Cuttack city. The reserve contains several natural water sources, including two major dams that attract elephant herds during dry months.
The Indian government created this elephant reserve in December 1982 to protect the native elephant population within the Eastern Ghats biotic region. Since then, the refuge has undergone several expansions to secure migration corridors for the animals.
The name Chandaka refers to the traditional designation of this forested region, known for generations as elephant habitat. Visitors today can witness how villagers from surrounding communities participate in conservation events and learn to coexist peacefully with the wandering herds.
Visitors can observe wildlife from several observation towers near Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam, with guest houses available for overnight stays. The best time to visit falls between October and March, when temperatures are cooler and elephants appear more frequently near water sources.
The refuge uses geographic information systems and spatial analysis to track elephant movements and understand their seasonal preferences across different habitats. This technology helps rangers prevent human-elephant conflicts by predicting when herds might approach settlements.
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