Govt Move To Develop Dam Sites In Odisha As Learning & Recreation Spots

Bhubaneswar: The state government has initiated steps to develop the land near flood control and multi-purpose dams into learning and recreation spots.

Presiding a high level meeting on the matter, here on Friday, chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed to develop the big dams and its adjacent land into learning and recreation spots with museum, audio visual show, guided tour, boating and camping facilities.

He asked the Forest and Environment department to finalise the modes of management of the boating facilities in the reservoirs either through Van Surakshya Samities or tourism agencies.

Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena directed to select the dams closer to the towns and growth centres having more potential to attract tourists. It was decided to take up 3 to 4 such dams in the first phase and gradually extend the facilities to other dams.

Principal secretary, Water Resources, Anu Garg cited the dam projects which have the potential to be developed a the learning-cum-recreation spots.

Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Dr Mona Sharma, principal secretary, Tourism and General Administration & Public Grievance and senior officials were present.