Two new eco-tourism destinations near Bhubaneswar, Peacock Valley and Nageswar Dam, are being promoted as nature and wildlife attractions on the fringes and within the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary landscape.
Peacock Valley is located close to the sanctuary and has been developed for visitors seeking nature trails and wildlife viewing. The area is named after the frequent sightings of Indian peafowl and contains a mix of forests, grasslands and scrub vegetation.
According to the report, the landscape supports a range of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, birds, butterflies and other species associated with the Eastern Ghats ecosystem. Visitors can access basic tourism facilities at the site, including a cafeteria.
The destination also provides access to forest excursions. Tourists can purchase entry tickets and hire safari vehicles to enter the protected area, as Peacock Valley is situated on the sanctuary’s fringe.
Binod Acharya, divisional forest officer of Chandaka, said Peacock Valley has significance beyond recreation because it functions as a buffer and linkage habitat between forested stretches of the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding landscapes. He said the ecological connection supports wildlife movement, helps maintain genetic diversity and strengthens the resilience of local ecosystems.
The second destination, Nageswar Dam, is located near the Dampada forest range inside the Chandaka sanctuary. It is being promoted as an eco-tourism attraction surrounded by forest landscapes and is intended to offer visitors a quieter nature-based experience.
Forest authorities believe the two destinations can create opportunities for sustainable tourism and local livelihoods while increasing public appreciation of Chandaka’s biodiversity. The development also places visitor activity alongside a protected forest landscape, making the availability of facilities, ticketing and safari access important parts of how tourism is managed in the area.
The sites give residents and visitors from Bhubaneswar additional options for nature-based outings close to the city while keeping the sanctuary’s ecological role central to the visitor experience. Further tourism activity will be managed through the forest authorities’ existing access and safari arrangements for the protected area.
