Bhubaneswar: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary organized the 2nd Indian Bison Fest today, drawing more than 600 participants from diverse sectors of society. This year’s festival introduced Night Camping as a special feature, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience the wilderness of Debrigarh.
The morning session included expert deliberations on the Indian Bison (Gaur), a wildlife documentary screening, and prize distribution to school and college students who won the drawing competition organized as part of the event. The themes for the competition were “Strength of the Wild – Pride of Debrigarh Sanctuary” for junior participants and “Wild Heritage of India – The Mighty Gaur” for senior participants.
The occasion also recognized the efforts of frontline staff, with awards presented to the best performing Foresters and Forest Guards for their outstanding contribution to Gaur conservation and protection.
The festival programme is followed by a 2.5-hour Gaur Safari within the sanctuary and stargazing sessions for night-camping participants, where visitors will observe constellations ranging from Saptarishi Mandal to Orion under the pristine night sky over the sanctuary and the nearby Hirakud Wetland.
Tomorrow morning’s activities include a visit to Bat Island and Island Café, where visitors can safely observe more than 1,000 fruit bats (Flying Foxes) that roost on the island.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary has emerged as an important conservation landscape for the Indian Bison in eastern India. Recent field observations estimate the population at around 848 individuals, reflecting an increase of nearly 190 animals in the past year. Frequent herd sightings, the presence of calves, and the sanctuary’s grassland–forest mosaic habitat support successful breeding and recruitment.
With its strong ecological integrity and balanced ecosystem, Debrigarh holds significant potential as a long-term source population for Gaur conservation in India. Ongoing initiatives such as habitat management, grassland restoration, wetland conservation, and systematic population monitoring aim to further strengthen the sanctuary as a secure breeding stronghold for this iconic species.
Himanshu Lal, IG of Police, Northern Range Sambalpur, Bison Expert of India Dr.K Shankar, DFO Hirakud Wildlife Division Anshu Pragyan Das, regional Wildlife enthusiasts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Bolangir & other districts graced the occasion along with 600 EDC members(villagers) from different villages adjoining Sanctuary.
