Koraput: As part of its plan to develop Deomali hilltop in Koraput district as one of eco-tourism destinations, the Odisha government is constructing 10 cottages for night stay of the tourists.
According to official sources, the Forest department is constructing the cottages in Deomali hilltop under Pottangi block with all-weather cement fibre boards. Besides, the cottages for night stay of the tourists, there will be provisions of a dining hall and 2 dormitories.
The department has also planted around 1,000 tropical pine saplings brought from Assam for beautification of the landscape at the spot, the sources said.
“It will undoubtedly be a major tourist attraction. Over 50% of the work is over. Electrification and water supply to the hilltop have been ensured to cater to the needs of the visitors,” TOI quoted Uma Mahesh, assistant conservator of forests, Koraput as saying.
Deomali is the highest peak in Odisha standing at 1,672 metres above the sea level in the Eastern Ghats. Due to bauxite deposits on the hilltop, soil dig up machines were used to make pits for planting of the saplings and foreign soil was used to ensure growth of the plants, said Mahesh.
“With its scenic beauty, cool climate and upcoming accommodation facilities, Deomali is poised to become a sought-after tourist destination,” said Talina Pradhani, district tourist officer, Koraput.
Deomali has been included under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan scheme for development of infrastructure that will further boost the inflow of tourists, she added. The present project is in addition to Rs 16 crore sanctioned by the Tourism department for integrated development of the hill.
It may be noted that the government had approved the proposal to set up 13 new eco-tourism retreats and nature camps to boost eco-tourism last year. Out of the new spots, 10 are reserved for development of eco-retreats which will include night-stay facilities and three new spots will be converted into nature-camps for day tourists.
The eco-retreats include Deomali hilltop, Jakam of Kalahandi, Nawana of Similipal, Silviculture garden of Phulbani, Muhana Muhana at Astaranga in Puri, Kotia in Koraput, Khadakhai dam in Rairangpur, Mahendragiri in Ganjam, Kanjipani Ghat and Hadagarh dam in Keonjhar.
