NTCA Orders Probe Into Eco-Tourism Project In Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve

Angul: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has ordered a probe into the eco-tourism project of the Odisha government inside the tiger reserve of the Satkosia Sanctuary in Angul district.

Acting on a complaint by the secretary of the Wildlife Society of Odisha, Biswajit Mohanty, NTCA DIG Rajendra G Garawad has directed the AIG of the NTCA’s Regional Branch, Nagpur, to probe into the matter and submit a report at the earliest.

In a letter to the NTCA, Mohanty had stated that the Odisha government has set up nature camps at several places inside the tiger reserve area of the sanctuary to attract more tourists. Apart from this, to provide boating facilities to the tourists at the Satkosia gorge of Mahanadi, the State Tourism Department has provided motorboats and set up a recreation centre at Badmul.

Maintaining that the aforesaid activities of the state government inside the sanctuary have adversely affected the habitats of the wild animals, Mohanty had urged the NTCA to conduct an on-field investigation and initiate necessary action.