The Odisha Forest and Environment Department is commencing new ecotourism packages, tailored for tourists visiting islands within the Hirakud reservoir. The Cattle Island has been specifically selected as a sightseeing destination due to its prime location and unique attributes.
Cattle Island: A Wild Beauty within Hirakud Reservoir
Situated at one of the extreme points of the Hirakud Reservoir, Cattle Island is home solely to wild animals, with no identifiable evidence of human inhabitants. The island, located near Kumarbandh village of Belpahar-Banharpali range, can be found approximately 90 km from Sambalpur, Odisha.
Remarkably, this island was once a hill within a developed village before the construction of the Hirakud Dam. During the resettlement period, villagers accidentally left their cattle behind. Once the dam construction was concluded, the cattle adapted and settled on the hilltop. Therefore, when the area began to submerge following the dam’s construction, the cattle sought refuge on Bhujapahad, an elevated place in Jharsuguda district, thus giving the island its name – ‘Cattle Island’.
Hirakud Dam: A Multipurpose Scheme
Designed by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937 following recurring devastating floods in the Mahanadi river, the Hirakud Dam serves multiple purposes. The main aim behind its establishment was to control flood. Its first hydro power was commissioned in 1956. It holds the title of being the longest dam in India.
Location of Hirakud Dam
Built across river Mahanadi, the Hirakud Dam is positioned approximately 15 km upstream of the town of Sambalpur in Odisha. The Mahanadi River system is the third largest of peninsular India, after the Godavari and Krishna rivers, and is the largest river within the state of Odisha. The river rises from a place near Sihawa in Bastar Hills, south of Amarkantak. Furthermore, the catchment area of the river extends to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
Objectives of Hirakud Dam
The Hirakud Dam serves various purposes including irrigation, flood control, and power generation. The project provides an expansive amount of Kharif and Rabi irrigation across multiple districts along with further irrigation in the Mahanadi Delta. In terms of power generation, the dam has a vast installed capacity for electricity production through its two powerhouses. It also offers flood protection to the Mahanadi basin and delta area.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: A Showcase of Biodiversity
Adjacent to the Hirakud dam is the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary, an area known for its rich biodiversity. This sanctuary stands out as one of the select few within the state that house both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. Its eastern and northern boundaries are enveloped by the expansive Hirakud reservoir, giving it a distinctive appeal.
