Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife refuge in Puri district, India.
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is a coastal reserve stretching between Puri and Konark with sandy beaches and dense forest areas mixed throughout. The landscape shifts between open beaches where animals roam freely and protected woodlands that shelter various plant and animal species.
The sanctuary was created in 1984 to protect this coastal area, but the landscape had been shaped decades earlier through tree-planting initiatives. Casuarina trees planted in the early 1900s now form the backbone of the forest that exists here today.
The area holds spiritual meaning for pilgrims visiting the nearby Konark Temple, a sacred site that draws people from surrounding communities. Visitors today can observe how locals relate to this coastal landscape as part of their cultural connection to the region.
Early morning visits work best when temperatures are cooler and animals are most active throughout the area. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water, since the exposed beaches and forest trails can be demanding during warm hours.
The beaches serve as nesting grounds for Olive Ridley sea turtles, which come ashore at night to lay eggs in the sand. These turtles return to the same beach after years at sea, guided by an inner compass that directs them back to where they were born.
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