Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, once a conflict-prone zone with human settlements, is set to become India’s newest tiger reserve after approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in July 2025. Spanning 804 sq km, the sanctuary has emerged as a model of community-driven conservation and sustainable tourism.
The transformation is striking: more than 400 families were voluntarily relocated from the core area under a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package. Instead of resistance, local communities embraced change, using financial support for agriculture, small businesses, and entrepreneurship. Today, they are active partners in tourism management, with over 100 families directly employed—40% of them women.
The ecological gains have been equally impressive. With a burgeoning prey base of gaur, sambar, deer, and wild boar, alongside a robust leopard population, the ecosystem is now primed to welcome tigers. Notably, 40% of animal herds consist of newborns, reflecting healthy regeneration. Restoration of 500 hectares into stable grasslands further supports herbivores.
Debrigarh’s unique geography adds to its appeal. Sharing over 100 km of boundary with Hirakud Wetland—a Ramsar site—the sanctuary provides a rare blend of forests, wetlands, and grasslands. It now hosts over 300 bird species, including 120 migratory ones, making it a top birding destination. Meanwhile, its pristine skies have turned Debrigarh into India’s premier “dark sky” tourism site, with eco-friendly stargazing experiences gaining popularity among global travelers.
Rooted in history as the base of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, the sanctuary uniquely blends cultural heritage with wildlife conservation. With eco-tourism revenues crossing INR 5 crore in 2025 and ambitious plans to scale up to one million visitors annually, Debrigarh is set to join Odisha’s iconic conservation hubs like Chilika and Simlipal.
