Bhubaneswar: A forest safari will be set up in the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary to educate people about its biodiversity.

The safari, which has been proposed to start in August, will be set up as a component of Bhubaneswar smart city.

Forest officials said very few urban cities in the country had a vast forest such as Chandaka near the city. "Tourists will be taken in eight and 12-seated buses to have a glimpse of the forest's biodiversity. The modalities of the safari will be decided in June," said Chandaka divisional forest officer Kedar Kumar Swain.

The sanctuary extending over an area of 193km has a number of tourist's attractions, including Deras, Jhumka, Godibari and Kumarkhunti. It has also 32 small hillocks and is known for the elephants. The sanctuary is also famous for housing a number of wild nut trees.

Sources said the forest department was in touch with two central public sector units to provide the buses. "We also want to educate people about their contribution to the nature and saving it. Visitors have to pay nominal fees to enjoy the safari service. Trained guides will accompany the tourists," said a forest official. Around 50,000 tourists visit the sanctuary annually.

The biodiversity of the sanctuary includes 30 species of mammals, 27 species of reptiles and 120 bird species. The forest department had set up four watchtowers near Ambilo, Kumarkhunti, Pitagadia and Kochilaberena for a better view of the wildlife.

The sanctuary has also 23 natural water bodies, including the Deras and Jhumka reservoirs, which spread over nearly 10 acres. Apart from being the main source of water, both the reservoirs attract thousands of tourists during winter.

Earlier, the forest department had also proposed to merge around 600 hectares belonging to the Chandaka sanctuary with the Nandankanan Zoological Park to set up various animal safaris and bolster the ecotourism. The forest department officials said the merger would also bolster the ecotourism potential of the Chandaka sanctuary.