Odisha to establish extra areas for nature and eco-tourism

The Odisha government has decided to identify more nature and ecotourism locations as the eco-retreats established in the state have become hugely popular with tourists, an official said.

This was decided at a meeting chaired by Secretary General SC Mohapatra, who directed the tourism, forest and environment and water resources departments to identify other locations for improving nature tourism activities in the state, the official said.

The general secretary asked district collectors to identify locations for setting up year-round eco retreats, nature camps, daily destinations, river cruises, boating, jungle safari, wildlife towers, and other such activities.

“Choosing the right location for nature tourism is very important in order to take it to the next level,” said Mohapatra, commissioning Tourism Secretary VK Dev and Chairman and Managing Director IDCO SK Singh to review the locations identified and their development potential by Year to evaluate -round tourist destinations.

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Nature tourism is no longer an international tourist activity, the secretary general said, adding that more local tourists are now visiting the natural camps in Odisha. Eco-sites, natural areas and natural camps will create more job opportunities for local people and help improve their incomes, he said.

The proposals to expand such activities in Talasari, Konark, Satpada, Chandipur, Debrigarh, Bhitarkanita, Similipal, Daringibadi, Astarang, Satkosia Gorge, Tikarpada, Hirakud, Chilika and Nalabana were discussed at the meeting.

The Secretary-General also directed authorities to demarcate the tourist zones in wooded areas, list the dams, stretches of rivers and bodies of water with good potential for boating, water boats, cruises and houseboat placement.

While the District Collectors will identify suitable locations near important tourist destinations for the development of the tourist stay, it was decided to convert the diesel motor boats involved in tourist locations to CNG mode.

The additional Secretary General for Forests and Environment, Dr. Mona Sharma, suggested opening nature camps in 30 to 40 new locations during the year. It was also decided to invite more private sector investment to make nature tourism activity more competitive and create jobs.

This story was published by a wire agency feed with no changes to the text.

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