Bhubaneswar: Longing for a vacation after the prolonged COVID-induced lockdown? Look no further. Plans are afoot to introduce ‘Hirakud Cruise’ and ‘Island Odyssey’ in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Bargarh district.
“It will start as soon as ecotourism opens post-COVID lockdown,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Hirakud, Anshu Pragyan Das.
It will continue as a part of the community-driven Nature Education Programme at Debrigarh Ecotourism on the banks of Hirakud Reservoir.
“For the initial one month, it will be included in the night stay package at Debrigarh Ecotourism run by communities. We have 14 cottages for night stay,” she said.
The DFO further said six to eight persons will be allowed per cruise depending on COVID norms.
“The cruise will be gradually expanded with other components. There will be one to four hours packages with and without Island Odyssey respectively,” she said, adding, “It is likely to be initiated from October.”
“Local fishermen have been involved in Hirakud Cruise as a livelihood option. They also will take part in the conservation process,” she said.
Visitors will also get an opportunity to explore the Island of Bats, Sunset Island and Cattle Island in Hirakud Lake under the ‘Island Odyssey’ programme.
She said a group of newly-trained eco guides, who are the local forest-dependent communities will coordinate the programme.
“The eco-tourists, accompanied by trained eco-guides, will be able to view the bats from a distance without disturbing them. At Sunset Island, tourists can view the sunset in the west and the moon rising in the east at the same time,” the forest officer said.
“This will not only strengthen support of the local communities but also act as an alternative livelihood for them and help in restoring the Bat habitat,” she said.
Das said 12 local fishermen families have been enrolled for conservation of the island, which is just one km away from Debrigarh Ecotourism. It is home to more than 1000 bats.
Debrigarh sanctuary, which is spread over 353 sq km, has series of mountain ranges up to the borders of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, while Hirakud with 743 sq km is the largest manmade reservoir in India.
