Nature Camps Reap Rich Revenues For Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s eco-tourism programmes have paid rich dividends with nature camps in the state expected to generate revenue of around Rs 6 crore in this fiscal year.

Of these nature camps, five sites in Similipal had generated revenue of over Rs 1 crore till January 2020. Over all, the wildlife wing of the Forest and Environment Department had collected Rs 5.9 crore till January as against Rs 5.7 crore in 2018-19.

With tourist inflow to the eco-tourism destinations expected to continue for the next two months, the revenue collection from these camps is also expected to grow further, officials said.

“It is encouraging to see the overwhelming popularity of our eco-tourism sites. Eco-tourism committee members, staff and forest officers will continue to work hard to make the experience of tourists visiting these spots even better in the coming days,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) HS Upadhyay.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Eco-tourism) Anshu Pragyan Das said till January, revenue generation of five nature camps in Similipal has crossed Rs 1 crore.

With around 4,200 visitors making night stay in these nature camps, the revenue collection of Similipal nature camps touched Rs 1.3 crore by the end of January. The camps had recorded inflow of 5,000 tourists and the combined revenue was Rs 1.7 crore in 2018-19.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Eco-tourism) Anshu Pragyan Das said Similipal has majestic waterfalls like Barehipani, Joranda and Uski, and is home to a variety of animals such as elephants, spotted deer, sambar, bison, wild boar. It is also the only natural home to melanistic tigers.

Apart from Similipal, Badmul in Satkosia Tiger Reserve, nature camp in Bhitarkanika National Park, nature camp in Debrigarh Sanctuary and Daringbadi in Phulbani have performed well as eco-tourism destinations this year.