Bhubaneswar: The nature camps at Dangmal in Bhitarkanika National Park, Mandasaru in Kandhamal and Daringbadi have been adjudged the best performers in forest protection through eco-tourism.
The Eco-Development Committees and Van Suraksha Samitis of these three camps were felicitated with the Chief Minister’s Award during Forestry Day on Sunday.
The first prize carried a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh, the second Rs 75,000 and the third 50,000.
Dangmal had seen over 3300 tourists between October 2020, when the park was reopened after almost a gap of six months and February, generating a revenue of Rs 73 lakh.
The tariff per night per room is about Rs 5,000. Dangamal is also famous for boating in mangrove creeks and birding.
The Mandasaru ecotourism site is managed by 19 women SHG members.
It is considered the Silent Valley of Odisha due to its frequent weather changes, mesmerizing beauty and rich biodiversity. The Mandasaru Gorge is locally known as Gdang Kutti has six waterfalls of which two are perennial.
The accommodation Mandasaru Valley Nature Camp is located at the hilltop with a panoramic view of the Mandasaru Gorge. There are two watchtowers, a children’s park, a plantation, a dining hall, four cottages, a watchtower room and even a grotto within the resort area.
Satkosia Sand Resort at Badmul and Kumari Nature Camp in Similipal and Debrigarh were also presented the award for 2019-20.
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This initiative began in Odisha in 2016 and since then 600 community members are eking out a living from nature tourism activities at 43 destinations in 16 districts. Bookings are mostly done online.
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