Involve Local SHGs To Maintain Bhitarkanika, Nrusinghanath & Harishankar Tourist Spots In Odisha: Chief Secy

Bhubaneswar: The site development works at important tourist places like Nrusinghanath, Harishankar, Bhitarkanika and Chandrabhaga were put on fast track with an aim to open the facilities to tourists.

Reviewing the progress of work at these sites on Thursday, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed that the site development projects would be executed through Works department for expeditious implementation. After setting up the necessary facilities at Bhitarkanika, the department would hand over the assets to the department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change for sustainable management. He also directed to manage the sites by committees involving local stake holders. The local WSHGs would be involved in hospitality, sanitation and upkeep to the fullest feasible extent in the spots.

Principal Secretary Tourism, Surendra Kumar outlined the techno-administrative issues and updates for discussion.

For Bhitarkanika, tourism facilities would be developed in four principal zones viz. Dangmal, Gupti, Khola, and Chandbali. The primary interventions would include setting up of the cottages, laying of floating jetties, development of arrival plaza, common facility centres, interpretation centre, facilities for wild life sighting, toilets, parking and other tourist facilitation infrastructure.

Land for tourism projects would be acquired and developed by IDCO near Gupti, Khola and Kasturikana. The entire project would be undertaken in three phases. In the first phase an amount of Rs.46.23 cr would be invested for creation of high priority facilities. The Collector and Divisional Forest Officer of Kendrapada submitted field updates and apposite suggestions through video conferencing.

Similarly, the boating and beach sight facilities would be developed at Chandrabhaga with investment of around Rs.42 cr. The site development works at Nrishnghanath and Harishankar would be done with investment of around Rs 46 cr.

Additional Chief Secretary Forest, Environment and Climate Change Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary Tourism Surendra Kumar, Managing Director IDCO Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Director Tourism Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Additional Secretary Tourism Durga Prasad Mahapatra along with senior officers of departments concerned attended.