Over 600 Participants Engage in Second Bison Festival at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhubaneswar: The second edition of the bison festival at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 600 individuals across various segments of society on Sunday. This year's event introduced a novel night-camping experience, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the sanctuary's wilderness under the stars.
Diverse Participation and Expert Insights
The festival attracted eco-development committee members from villages surrounding the sanctuary, along with students, officials, and wildlife enthusiasts from districts including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, and Balangir. Notable figures such as bison expert Dr. K Shankar and IG (northern range) Himanshu Lal addressed the gathering, with Anshu Pragyan Das, divisional forest officer of Hirakud wildlife division, presiding over the proceedings.
Festival Highlights and Activities
DFO Das emphasized that night-camping was a key addition this year, designed to provide visitors with a closer connection to Debrigarh's natural environment. The morning session featured expert discussions on the Indian bison, a screening of a wildlife documentary, and prize distributions for drawing competitions. School and college students participated under themes like 'Strength of the Wild – Pride of Debrigarh Sanctuary' for juniors and 'Wild Heritage of India – The Mighty Gaur' for seniors.
The program also honored frontline conservation efforts, with awards presented to top-performing foresters and forest guards for their contributions to gaur protection. Following the formal activities, participants embarked on a 2.5-hour gaur safari within the sanctuary. Night-camping attendees enjoyed star-gazing sessions, observing constellations from Saptarishi Mandal to Orion against the backdrop of the clear night sky over the sanctuary and nearby Hirakud wetland.
Conservation Success and Future Prospects
Debrigarh has emerged as a significant conservation landscape for the Indian bison in eastern India. Recent field observations estimate the population at approximately 848 individuals, marking an increase of nearly 190 bison over the past year. Wildlife officials noted that among India's four mega herbivores, the Indian bison is one, with Odisha hosting two in the wild—bison and elephants.
Officials highlighted that Debrigarh has the capacity to support a larger bison population. Key strategies for healthy wildlife management include maintaining optimal male-to-female ratios, implementing focused habitat management, monitoring ecological indicators, and ensuring robust protection measures. This festival underscores ongoing efforts to promote biodiversity and engage communities in conservation initiatives.
