January 3rd 2025.
Exciting news for nature lovers in Keonjhar! The Atei Reserve forest, located in the Ghatagaon range of the Keonjhar Forest Division, has opened its doors to the public for a one-of-a-kind jungle safari experience. This initiative, led by the Keonjhar Forest Department, aims to attract more tourists and nature enthusiasts to the district. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Maa Tarini Temple premises in Ghatagaon, was honored by the presence of Keonjhar's Member of Parliament, Anant Naik, along with several MLAs and senior officials.
Keonjhar district is renowned for its natural beauty, with visitors flocking to its waterfalls, streams, forested hills, reservoirs, and religious shrines all year round. And now, with the addition of the Atei jungle safari, the district's appeal is expected to reach new heights. This safari provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the forest and observe wildlife up close, in specially designed vehicles provided by the Forest Department. It's no wonder that nature and wildlife enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement about this new development.
Thanks to the efforts of the Forest Department, the necessary infrastructure for the safari is now in place. The team is hopeful that this new initiative will attract a significant number of tourists to Keonjhar. The safari includes a guided tour of the forest, with expert driver-guides who have extensive knowledge of the local wildlife. To enhance the experience, tourists will be provided with complimentary binoculars for better wildlife viewing, and there will be refreshment kiosks at designated spots for light snacks and water.
During the safari, visitors may be lucky enough to spot elephants, deer, wild boars, and various bird species. And of course, the safari also offers plenty of opportunities for capturing stunning photographs of the forest's scenic landscapes. The duration of the tour is approximately three hours, making it a perfect day activity for tourists.
The Atei jungle safari is expected to become a popular attraction, alongside other local landmarks such as the Maa Tarini temple in Ghatagaon, the Gundicha Ghaghi waterfall, the Sitabinjh historical site, and the Barha Tipura religious place in Ghatagaon. The Maa Tarini shrine, in particular, attracts thousands of devotees every day for darshan. And now, with the addition of the forest safari, Ghatagaon is set to become an even more popular destination for tourists.
For those interested in experiencing the Atei jungle safari, a booking counter will be available on the Maa Tarini temple premises. The safari route covers a distance of approximately 40km, starting from Murgapahari and ending at Kadabahali. Along the way, visitors will also get to enjoy views of the stunning Dargadishila Dam.
The Atei reserve forest gained widespread attention when a photo of a Royal Bengal Tiger was captured by a trap camera, and its paw prints were discovered in the area. As a result, the Forest Department imposed restrictions on movement within the forest, closing off all roads. Since then, the department's trap cameras have also captured images of rare wildlife species in the reserve, further adding to the safari's appeal.
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