After 2 Nature Parks & Mahanadi Alati, Plans Afoot For ‘Mini Chilika’ In Odisha’s Debrigarh Sanctuary

Sambalpur: Two nature parks have been opened at Govindpur village and Debrigarh Zero Point adjoining Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Hirakud Wetland, adding to the the existing spectra of eco-tourism there.

The first park has been named as ‘Hirakud Nature Park’ and spreads over 2.5 acre at Govindpur in Bargarh district while the second, ‘Debrigarh Nature Park’ is at the Zeropoint, which is the entry point to sanctuary from Sambalpur. “We have set up boating facilities and basic amenities at Govindpur as thousands of picnickers, birders and visitors come to the village. The wetland around Govindpur has many submerged temples, which have been renovated, and hills. Beautiful wooden boats have also been constructed,” said Divisional Forest Officer, Hirakud wildlife division, Anshu Pragyan Das.

The DFO further said that the whole landscape is Govindpur managed by the women folks and the residents have decided to take up Mahanadi Alati everyday and on every auspicious occasion, which will be an added attraction for the visitors.

This apart, this village located in the buffer zone will also be developed into a mini Chilika by the wildlife wing of the Forest department. The village, which is known for community conservation of birds, hosted 108 species, including skimmer, grebes, darter, Northern shoveler, lapwing, gulls, sandpiper, plover and pochard, on the wetland between October and March last year. Lesser whistling ducks, tufted ducks and common coot have also been spotted in great numbers in the wetland.

It also earned the ‘bird village’ tag last year.

Earlier in May this year, Govindpur community members were taken to Chilika Lake on a two-day exposure visit for capacity building.

While work on the refreshment kiosk, souvenir shop and boating facilities at Debrigarh Nature Park has been completed, one open Orchidarium is under progress, she said, adding that revenue generated from boating, visitor amenities and refreshment kiosks will be shared within the community.