India, Oct. 29 -- T here's a certain magic in the first chill of the season... that moment when India's forests stir back to life. The sanctuary gates creak open, migratory birds return and the air carries that unmistakable scent of damp leaves and wild earth. In western Odisha, the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary near Sambalpur is at the heart of this quiet awakening. Now on the cusp of being declared India's newest tiger reserve, it's drawing attention not just for its wildlife, but for the people who've helped it thrive. Spread across the forested slopes along the shimmering Hirakud reservoir, Debrigarh is a revelation - serene, scenic and full of small surprises. Mornings here are a melody of birdsong echoing over still water. Spotted deer and langurs dart through the sal forests while eagles trace lazy circles in the sky. On Bat Island, thousands of bats hang like dark fruits from ancient trees. What was once an overlooked stretch of woodland is today one of eastern India's most inspiring stories of eco-tourism and community-led conservation. "Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, adjoining the Hirakud Wetland, is not just a haven for biodiversity but also a shining example of community-driven conservation," says Anshu Pragyan Das, DFO of the Hirakud Wildlife Division. "With over 15 unique eco-tourism experiences and more than 100 local community members directly engaged, we are proud that Debrigarh has generated Rs.5 crore in eco-tourism revenue this year alone." That sense of belonging runs deep here, for travellers too. You can kayak along the reservoir, cycle through forest trails, or drift in a boat at sunset as flocks of birds wing home. At the edge of this wilderness lies Sambalpur, a city that rests gracefully along the Mahanadi River. Its past stretches from the Chauhan dynasty to colonial days and its present hums with trade, textiles and temple bells. The river runs through it all, shaping lives, livelihoods and legends. The heart of the city beats at the Maa Samaleswari Temple, dedicated to the presiding goddess who guards Sambalpur's fortunes. Come Nuakhai (August-September), the harvest festival that marks the first crop of the season, the temple becomes a radiant centre of celebration. And if there's one tune that captures this spirit, it's Rangabati, the beloved Sambalpuri folk song that has become a cultural anthem. The Rangabati Utsav, held annually, celebrates this melody. A short drive away, the Hirakud Dam stands as both engineering marvel and landscape poetry, a structure that tames the Mahanadi yet adds to its splendour. Built in the 1950s, it remains one of the world's longest earthen dams. From the Gandhi Minar viewpoint, the reservoir stretches like molten silver, dotted with fishing boats and green islets, the same waters that cradle Debrigarh's forests. Back in the narrow lanes of Sambalpur, looms click and threads gleam. This is where the famed Sambalpuri ikat is born, each fabric a labour of precision and patience. During festivals, the city turns into a living gallery, women draped in ikat saris, men in handwoven kurtas, each garment carrying stories of skill, soil and heritage. The author's trip was sponsored by Policy Watch India Foundation (PWIF)...