Bhubaneswar: For the first time, the Odisha government has decided to open five tourist destinations in the state as ‘Eco Retreat’ attractions. The Eco Retreat to be launched on December 8 will remain open for 3 months.
The five identified destinations are Ramchandi beach near Konark temple; Badamula in Satkosia, famous for tiger reserve; Daringbadi, known as Kashmir of Odisha; Hirakud water reservoir and Bitarkanika, reputed for its mangrove forest.
Here are the main attractions of these destinations:
Bhirakanika
The main attraction of the resort will be a floating ‘Bar-cum-Restaurant’. The preparation is in final stage to set up the facility on a pond across a river near Nalitapatia village. It will also have facility for yoga practice. Tehre will be luxurious tents on the banks of the river for the tourists.
The Tourism department has selected the place under Eco Retreat for the first time considering its surrounding of natural beauty. As many as 25 fashionable tents have been erected to house 50 tourists with a couple for each one. Various cultural programmes, open air film ground, star gazing and sight-seeing are its main attractions. Besides, the tourists can visit Midubandh waterfall, coffee plantation and lovers’ point. For the young visitors, there is hiking facility through fourests and hills upto Saraswati cave.
Ramchandi
A host of attractions are in store for the tourists at Ramchandi beach. The main attraction is sea surfing for the young and adventurous people. It will also feature cultural functions and open cinema. Other attractions include visit to nearby fishermen villages, nature trail in Kalukhand sanctuary, ATV ride, rifle shooting, archery, guidedbicycle tour, beach volleyball, jet ski and speed boating.
Satkosia
Its major attractions are practice of jumba and yoga in amid thick green cover in deep forest. Besides visits to Deojhar water fall and Champeswar temple are other features here.
Hirakud
Famous for its vast reservoir, this destination will have a ropeway facility and safari in Debrigarh. Besides, camping, yoga and meditation are other attractions of this Eco Retreat.
