Going beyond protecting forests and wildlife animals, the Hirakud Wildlife Division of Odisha is making efforts to make people aware of India’s freedom fighters.

To highlight the legacy of one such fighter Veer Surendra Sai, HWD is developing a first of its kind Veer Surendra Sai Memorial at Barabakhara which is located on the outskirts of Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

The memorial will have pictorial representation of the major incidents connected with Sai life while war stories of this legendary fighter will be depicted through sculptures.

The work which is expected to be complete in a month will be done by local artists and sculptures.

Not many people are aware that during western Odisha’s fight against the British, Debrigarh Sanctuary played a vital role under the leadership of Sai from 1830 to 1860. Sai and his associates would take refuge at Barabkhara which was one of the safest places for the rebels during the fight to rest and work out their plans.

Sai during this phase, built hill forts with stone and mud on top of Debrigarh hills which were constructed in and around the sanctuary and the Barapahada hill range.

Sharing details with the media, Anshu Pragyan Das, Divisional Forest Officer, HWD said: “Because of the historic association of Surendra Sai with Debrigarh, the inhabitants around Barabakhra have a unique devotion towards him even today. To encourage them further to conserve the forest and wildlife in the coming days and to make people aware of Sai’s contribution, we have come up with the Memorial.”