Kashmir of Odisha is Back in Focus

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27: The “Kashmir of Odisha” is back in focus with travellers from across the state and outside thronging the spot, giving tourism a boost.

Daringbadi, by virtue of its valleys, coffee plantations and tall pine trees, has once again turned into a major tourist attraction. Tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda claimed the situation in the tourism sector had improved a lot. “The steps taken by the department have started yielding results, attracting tourists to not only Kandhamal, but also Odisha as a whole.” Besides Kandhamal, the other major tourist attractions are the Puri-Konark-Bhubaneswar golden triangle, Bhitarkanika and Similipal national parks.

Puri is another major tourist hub at the moment. “I have travelled to most parts of India. But, the Puri beach, particularly along the Puri-Konark marine drive, is unique.

Another major tourist attraction remains Bhitarakanika in coastal Kendrapara. “The albino crocodile works as a magnet for the tourists. However, the national park will remain closed from January 1 to 12 to carry out a census on the salt-water crocodile.

The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj is yet another favourite destination. After the state government initiated steps to free it from Maoist menace, the tourists have started visiting, lured by the prospect of seeing the big cats.

Kashmir of Odisha (Daringbadi)

Bhingarpur: The land of aquatic birds

Bhubaneswar, April 17: The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are growing faster sparing little space for the water bodies and wetlands. Despite the lacunae in the rapid urbanisation process and depleting ecosystems, some patches have some hopes left for the winged guests to rest, play, nest and live.

A village named Bhingarpur between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar may be the perfect getaway for birdwatchers. The place is 15km from Utkal University and 9km from Hanspal Square towards Balianta block connecting the famous Kenduli village, the birth place of poet Jayadev. River Kuakhai runs through the village and the river bank provides a beautiful habitat for birds-both resident and migratory birds.

Branch of the Puri Main Canal and river Kuakhai meet at this place and create a huge wetland which, along with a large stretch of agricultural fields provide ample space and a natural playground for several species of birds.

Since the area holds water throughout the year, it provides food i.e. insects and small fishes for the birds. A large number of open bill storks come here from March 15 and stay till June end.

The local villagers do not harm birds that move around freely in the area. Ecologist Prasad Dash, who belongs to the area, said: “The villagers have learned to adjust with the birds, both resident and migratory and they represent the same spirit of the people of some places in Ganjam, Nayagarh and Sambalpur where blackbucks, peacocks and fish are being conserved with the efforts of local residents with forest and wildlife authorities.’’

Wetlands are transitional zones that occupy an intermediate position between dry land and open water. They are dominated by the influence of water and possess characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and some properties that are unique to them. They support a wide array of flora and fauna and deliver many ecological, climatic and societal functions.

Scientists often refer to wetlands as the ‘kidneys’ and forests as the ‘lungs’ of the earth. Orissa, by virtue of its extensive geographical stretch and varied terrain and climate, supports a rich diversity of inland and coastal wetlands.

Where major focus is given to wetlands like, Chilika lake, Ansupa lake, Kanjia lake and Bhitarkanika wetlands for the rich flora and fauna, the small wetlands near Bhubaneswar are ignored even though they support many resident and migratory birds.

Eco-Tourism Plan for Anshupa

Bhubaneswar : The wild life wing of the forest department plans to open an eco-tourism site at Anshupa Lake, Which is located in the Athgarh wildlife division of Satakosia Tiger Reserve, nest month.

The authorities said the site would be opened to tourist during winter as the main attraction was the presence of migratory birds, which have started thronging the natural water body,

Migratory as well as domestic birds have been sighted at the lake. If we facilitate eco-tourism around this time, tourists will have a delightful experience of sightseeing.

The lake is known for being home to at least 12000 birds of 42 varieties. The lake, which is spread over 150 hectares, is situated between the Saranda and Bishnupur hills on the Mahanadi river banks.

City Sways to Bollywood Beats

Bhubaneswar , Dec 14: It was festival time at the Biju Patnaik ground Sunday evening, with people gyrating to Bollywood tunes as Russian dancers performed and DJs played popular tracks. However, the people there were waiting for the main event — the concert by famed music trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy later in the evening.

The crowd was initially thin but people started pouring in as the evening wore on and DJ NYK started playing with students and families both enjoying the music and young ladies swaying to the beats.

The show started with BIKE stunts, which were followed by Russian dancers shaking their legs to Rihaanna songs. As two dance troupes faced off on stage, youngsters in the back row joined in by faced off in the crowd, prompting one of the organizers to comment. The festive atmosphere was marred by a minor scuffle that broke out between two groups of students. However, no one was hurt and the programme continued uninterrupted as security personnel whisked the students away.

India: Great Indian Food On The Road to Taptapani, Orissa

Chak De Moment Awaits India at Kalinga Stadium

BHUBANESWAR: At a time when diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have hit rock bottom, the two hockey teams will clash against each other at the high-voltage Champions Trophy semi-final at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday. 

There has been no bilateral series between the two countries in any sport for a long time, and the last time the hockey teams met on Indian soil was in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, when India won 7-4. The match also holds special significance for Bhubaneswar, which was off the international sports map for years. 

Rituraj Mohanty to perform at Toshali Crafts Mela

Bhubaneswar, Dec 11: Singing phenomenon from Orissa Rituraj Mohanty, who made headlines by winning a national-level music reality show recently, will be performing at this year’s Toshali National Crafts Mela that will be inaugurated December 15. Artisans, weavers, painters and sculptors from across the country will also participate in the crafts mela, informed handloom, textile and handicrafts minister Snehangini Chhuria at a press conference here Thursday.

The 9th Toshali National Crafts Mela will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The fair will be held at Janata Maidan from December 15-27th. The handloom, textiles and handicrafts department in collaboration with the culture department will host cultural programmes each evening in which artistes from all over the country and also from the state will perform.

Speaking about the fair, the minister said this year the Mela will accommodate 300 handicraft and handloom stalls. The fair will see the presence of 161 artisans and weavers from different parts of the country apart from 139 artisans and weavers from all over Orissa. “The centre of attraction in this year’s mela will be a theme pavilion titled ‘Magic in Metal’ erected in the centre of the ground depicting the Dhokra craft tradition of the state and its making from start to finish,” said the minister. “The vision of the mela is to offer an open forum to artistes, artisans and connoisseurs for interaction.

Strengthening the position of the weavers and artisans who are economically deprived by creating a market for their products is also one of the motives behind organising the mela,” Chhuria added. The Union ministry of textiles is also collaborating for the event. State Institute for Development of Arts and Crafts (SIDAC) is implementing the mega-national level crafts mela. Handlooms, textiles and handicrafts department commissioner-cum-secretary Chithra Arumugam, joint secretary and chief coordinating officer for Toshali Crafts Mela Raja Parija and other senior officers of the department were present in the press meet.

Odisha Determined To Tap Tourism Potential

Odisha, known for its rich mineral resources below the earth, is much richer in its tourism potential above the soil. Located on the eastern coast of India, Odisha offers everything for an avid traveller, ranging from awe-inspiring temples and beaches to wildlife reserves.

With a 480-km-long coast line, tranquil beaches, towering temples, serpentine rivers and mighty waterfalls, the state tourism department boasts of having something for everyone.

After positioning itself as a favoured destination for investors in the metal and mining sectors over the past decade, the state's focus has now shifted to attracting investments in non-mineral-based sectors.

At the recently-held Business Standard Odisha Round Table-2014, Chief Minister NaveenPatnaik made his government's stand clear on the state's endeavour to tap the potential of the tourism sector.

"We are trying to diversify Odisha's investment base by focusing on sectors not dependent on natural resources, such as agribusiness, tourism and information technology," Patnaik said at the event.

The state's keenness to diversify its investment base was also stressed by the state tourism minister, Ashok Kumar Panda.

"We must go in for diversification. Now the focus is being shifted from agriculture and industry-related things, and tourism is one such sector," said Panda.

Having both forward and backward linkages, the hospitality sector has generated more than 92,000 direct jobs and 2.77 lakh indirect jobs, resulting in a direct-indirect job creation ratio of 1:3 in Odisha.

Most tourists to Odisha come from neighbouring West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. In 2012 they constituted 14.03 per cent and 3.51 per cent respectively of all tourist footfalls from within the country. France, Germany, UK and the United States were the major tourist generating markets from overseas, and nearly 54 per cent foreign tourists came from Western Europe. A total of 66,675 foreign tourists visited the state in 2013.

Odisha's tourism department has now recognised the importance of tourism promotion for economic growth, and has accordingly undertaken several measures.

The state government has formulated the industry-friendly Tourism Policy 2013 to give a boost to the sector. The upgradation of Biju Patnaik Airport to international status is the icing on the cake for tapping opportunities in the tourism sector.

However, most stakeholders feel that much still needs to be done for development of the sector.

Development of the hotel industry is pivotal to the growth of tourism, but the state has not done enough on this front if the Economic Survey report is an indication.

The growth rate of the 'trade, hotels and restaurants' sub-sector slid down to a modest 6.94 per cent in 2013-14, from a robust 21.45 per cent recorded in 2006-07. This sub-sector was the second-largest contributor to the gross state domestic product (GSDP) after the manufacturing sub-sector (14.32 per cent) in 2013-14 among all individual sub-sectors of the state's economy.

Emphasising the need for more hotel rooms, J K Mohanty, chairman, Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), said, "To be competitive with our neighboring states, we need 4,000 rooms of 3-star category with an investment of Rs 30 lakh per room amounting to Rs 1,200 crore, and 1,000 rooms of 5-star category costing Rs 1 crore each, totaling Rs 1,000 crore."

An additional 5,000 rooms will give direct and indirect employment to 50,000 people and can generate an income of Rs 2,000 crore in the 3-star category and Rs 1,000 crore in the 5-star category, he added.

The association has proposed that at least Rs 30 crore should be spent every year on tourism promotion roadshows abroad and other states within India, with another Rs 30 crore earmarked for advertisements in the electronic and print media every year.

HRAO has demanded that at least 500 acres of land should be identified for the creation of Special Tourism Zones in each district and this developed land should be allotted to hotel chains and entrepreneurs, with priority for local players.

Odisha Finds Place in Buddhist State Circuits

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Buddhist sites in Odisha are yet to catch the fancy of international visitors despite huge potential, the Tourism Ministry has decided to include the State in its new travel project, ‘Buddhist Heritage Trails’, also known as ‘State Circuits’.

Despite promotion, both within the country and abroad, Odisha has not been getting enough international Buddhist tourists unlike States such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh.

Apparently, Buddhist tourism and eco-tourism are the new buzz words in the sector.

The Ministry has decided to develop three Buddhist tourism clusters in the country - ‘Sacred Circuit’, ‘Extended Sacred Circuit’ and ‘Buddhist Heritage Trails’ - in its bid to attract more international Buddhist tourists. Odisha has been included in ‘Buddhist Heritage Trails’ along with 10 other States comprising Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra and Sikkim.

The ‘Buddhist Heritage Trails’ will be a 10 to 15 days’ travel and would include visits for foreign travellers to Buddhist sites in the above mentioned destinations.

In Odisha, the trail will cover the Diamond Triangle of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, Dhauli Shanti Stupa, Langudi Hills and Khandagiri caves. 

This is the first time Odisha’s Buddhist sites have figured in the Ministry’s travel map. The State has 300 Buddhist sites and 405 Buddhist remains.

Last year, while Lalitgiri received 25,054 domestic tourists, only 305 foreign visitors came to the site. Similarly, 35,644 domestic travellers came to Ratnagiri and Udaygiri in 2013.

Satkosia wildlife sanctuary: No live fish on gharials

BHUBANESWAR: Gharials, considered a critically endangered species, survive on live fish. But Satkosia wildlife sanctuary authorities are facing a shortage of the gharials' staple. 

A Central Zoo Authority (CZA) team has instructed the Satkosia authorities to build a pool in which live fish may be kept. 

"We procure fish from local fishermen, who use hooks to catch small and medium fish and they are paid for it. The fishermen usually catch the fish from Mahanadi river, where fishing using nets has been banned. 

He said an adult gharial requires about 300gm of fish a day. "We keep the surplus fish in big pots since we are yet to build a fish pool. Many of them die and we have to feed gharials the dead fish. 

A two-member team from CZA, which visited the captive breeding centre on Saturday, asked the authorities to serve live fish only. "They reviewed the Tikarpada mini zoo and asked us to construct a fish pool to keep sufficient stock of live fish. The CZA has taken note of lack of infrastructure at the breeding centre.

Official sources said the gharial population at the sanctuary started dwindling a decade ago. About 800 small gharials, which had been released in the wild, vanished. The authorities said that while most of them became prey to big crocodiles, some died of natural causes. 

Besides, the sanctuary has 90 muggers, all of which are in the wild. After the breeding of the gharial starts, the authorities will release some of them into the wild. However, after they are leased, nearby villagers will be asked to stop fishing as the authorities believe many gharials released into the wild have died in the past because of fishing.

Crocodile Threat to villages

Officials of the state forest department have told residents of riverside villages to be cautious while venturing into the water bodies. Estuarine crocodiles are straying into creeks and rivulets near the human habitation. This has led to the outbreak of crocodile-man conflict in several areas near the Bhitarkanika National Park.

Around 34 villages have been identified as crocodile-infested zones. Local sarpanchs and panchayat representatives have been instructed to alert the villagers. Sections of the villages’ bathing ghats have been barricaded with bamboo fences.

We are living in constant threat of crocodile attacks. We live areas that are criss-crossed by water bodies.

Since past one month, no report of crocodile attack has been reported. However, the department has received reports of crocodiles making their way into the village-side water bodies. Though the breeding season of these animals conclude by the end of monsoon, crocodile-man conflicts often reach a flashpoint in the peripheral areas of the sanctuary during winter. The sanctuary is home to 1,644 adult and juvenile crocodiles.

Nabakalebara Takes Centre Stage at Konark Fest

KONARK: The annual Konark Dance Festival was inaugurated at open air auditorium with the backdrop of the Sun Temple here on Monday. 

The festival began with Odissi performance by the students of Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra (GKCM) Odissi Research Centre and Utkal University of Culture. Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan and troupe from New Delhi also performed on the day. 

Other eminent artistes like Shoba Naidu, Ghana Kanta Borbayan, Ranjana Gouhar, VP Dhanajan and Durga Charan Ranbir will perform during the five-day festival. 

For the first time, dance forms like Mahari and Gotipua will be staged at the festival. While Puri-based Rupashree Mohapatra will stage Mahari, Guru Birabara Sahoo and troupe from Konark Natya Mandap will perform Gotipua.

Bhutanese Flavours in Konark Festival 2014

First Time Konark festival, one of the biggest dance festivals in the country, will feature Bhutanese folk dance and song recitals. As many as 10 folk artistes will perform on the concluding day of the festival December 5. 

The performances by the Bhutanese folk artistes will commence with “Joenparlegso Zharbdro”, a song to welcome the distinguished guests.

Govt Gears up to Restore Ecology in Chilika

Inching a step forward to restore ecological balance and development of bio-diversity in Chilika Lake.

This was revealed at a review meeting on the status of the latest brackish water lake Asia.

Notability, chilika has been declared ‘destination flyway’ by united nation’s world tourism organization owing to its natural and bio-diversity.

Keonjhar Puts On Yellow Jacket

KEONJHAR: When winter sets in, the vast hinterland of Keonjhar turns yellow. The tribals cultivate mustard and sesame, whose flowers are yellow, in large tracts, overlooking hills and forests. 

The crops are a tourist's delight. No vehicle passes through Kanjipani Ghat on NH-49 or through the roads of Telkoi, Bansapal and Harichandanpur without a halt to enjoy the breathtaking beauty. It seems the vast neighbourhood dons a yellow jacket. 

For the tribals, majority of whom live below poverty line, mustard and sesame crops fetch a handsome income. "The pleasant fragrance of the mustard and sesame flowers draws bees from the forest and honey collection picks up. Honey prepared from extract of mustard and sesame flower is very tasty," said ayurvedic practitioner Harekrushna Mohanta. People cultivate the crops through a traditional method called podu (shifting) cultivation. They set fire to bushes and small plants on hilly slopes and leave the place for some months for the burnt leaves to decompose before sowing seeds post-ploughing.

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SATKOSIA:Tourist Destination in Odisha

This a great place for nature lovers. Full of caves, creeks and hills, the place is perfect for an adventurous experience. The muggers, gharials and the scenic view of the gorge over the Mahanadi are some of the attractions, apart from the two wildlife sanctuaries-Satkosia gorge and Baisipalli. You can also witness rare and endangered birds here.

HOW FAR IS IT

Around 190 km from Bhubaneswar.

ROAD MAP

You need to take NH5 and then NH42 towards Angul. When you reach Pampasar, the main entry gate of the tiger reserve, Angul is just 30 km away.

HOW GOOD IS THE DRIVE

No bumpy roads till Angul, from Pampasar the road become narrow and you can see wilderness all around.

TRAVEL TIPS

Carry drinking water and some snacks, as you won’t find anything other than meals cooked by camp authorities there.

Daringbadi Park Latest Tourist Draw in Kandhamal

BERHAMPUR: Flow of tourists to Daringbadi, dubbed 'Kashmir of Odisha', has gained momentum with the hill town in Kandhamal district reeling under cold wave. The night temperature at the tourist draw is hovering between 4 and 5 degree Celsius. 

Besides cold temperature, vast patches of coffee plantation, scenic hills, pine jungles and 'lovers' waterfall attract the tourists to Daringibadi. The tourism department has developed the site keeping in view tourists' priorities in mind. 

Daringbadi, situated at an altitude of 280 metre above sea level, is the only place in the state which witnesses snowfall during peak winter. Around 400 domestic and foreign tourists visited the hill town last month, tourism department sources said. 

Tourists prefer spend night either in Berhampur or district headquarters town of Phulbani, both about 100 km from the town in opposite directions. 

The district administration has decided to develop infrastructure at Daringbadi to increase tourist footfall. We have also plans to develop infrastructure facilities at Dasingbadi, another picturesque place with a pine jungle and a waterfall. Dasingbadi is about 17 km from Daringbadi. Similarly, the administration has also decided develop to scenic spots Hatimunda and Kirikuti, about 40 and 20 km from Daringibadi respectively. 

Rushikulya Sought For Eco-sensitive

BERHAMPUR: Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has suggested that the rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles near Rushikulya river mouth be declared an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 

It's necessary to declare the area an eco-sensitive zone to restrict certain activities and protect the Olive Ridleys that visit the site for mass nesting every year. 

A large number of Olive Ridleys laid eggs on a five-km stretch near the river mouth. It is considered the second largest rookery in the world for Olive Ridleys after Gahirmatha.

State To Make Documentary on puri

BHUBANESWAR: The tourism department has decided to make a documentary on Nabakalebara (creation of new idols of deities), scheduled to be observed at the Jagannath Temple in Puri in July 2015. The department will engage a reputed filmmaker for it. "Selection of filmmaker or production house will be made in a transparent manner. We are all set to float an expression of interest for it.

The film will cover the sequences and rituals of Nabakalebara. The production house will select artists.

The movie's duration is likely to be limited to one hour and it will be produced in both Odia and English. "It will be a promotional film on Nabakalebara, which was last observed in 1996. Since there was no pictorial or videographic feed of the last festival, we decided to shoot the next year's festival. We can use the film to promote Odisha tourism.

The temple administration recently formed a committee to chalk out a communication strategy for the festival.

There is also a plan to engage a brand ambassador. For the smooth stay of tourists, the state government has decided to augment accommodation facilities in Puri.

Temporary accommodations will be constructed for around one lakh pilgrims. Owners of lodgings, dharmasalas and HOTELS have been asked to complete repair and sanitation works well before Nabakalebara. At present, around 19,886 beds are available in 350-odd HOTELS. It will be increased to 30,000. Around 32 new HOTELS will come up by Nabakalebara, which will provide around 4,000 beds.

The temple administration has set December 2014 deadline for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), custodian of the temple, to complete the conservation work. The ASI had set March deadline for it. On January 14, officers of the Union culture department took STOCK of the conservation works in the wake of allegations of tardy progress. On November 28, 2013, the Jagannath Temple Administration lodged a complaint with the ASI director general, alleging slow progress.

GOPALPUR :Why Go?

Once a commercial port, this quiet place is fast becoming the most popular beach in odisha. Another attraction is the lighthouse, which offers you a great view of the town from the top. Mostly deserted, it's lively in the afternoon, when the fishermen return to shore and the women gather to unload the fishes.

How Far Is It

Around 180km from Bhubaneswar.

Road Map

Take NH5 that connects Bhubaneswar with Gopalpur

How Good Is the Drive?

Science it's a national highway, the road is wide and in good condition. Except a bump-free ride.

Travel Tips

Just carry drinking water. The place has plenty of restaurants serving sea food. 

Special Tour Packages For Konark Festival

The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation announced special tour package for the upcoming konark festival and Internationl  sand Art Festival and international sand art festival, Which will both start on December one.

Lens Eye on Tigers in Satkosia Reserve

ANGUL: Satkosia wildlife sanctuary authorities have installed ultra modern infrared cameras in the tiger reserve in a bid to preserve the tiger population.

At present, 42 cameras are functioning in the reserve. As many as 52 cameras were installed a month ago, but 10 of those were damaged by elephants, according to the DFO of the sanctuary division, S Md Rahman.

“The installation of such cameras became necessary to constantly monitor the movement of tigers, track their prey base and determine correct census. The cameras   are also helpful in tracking number of elephants and birds in the sanctuary area.

Besides tracking the wild animals, these cameras keep a tab on the poachers who remain active in the sanctuary though many of them have been nabbed, said Rahman. “We need to install more cameras to cover the entire sanctuary area. Presently, about half of 500 square kms of core area is monitored by these cameras.

After the sanctuary was declared a national tiger reserve in 2005 - the second after Similipal in the State - wildlife activists and authorities hold different views on the population of tiger in the two reserves.

However, referring to the latest census of tigers in Satkosia, the DFO said two Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) have been traced in Satkosia besides about 30 leopards. The two tigers are located at Ranigoda and Purunakote.

Blaming the biotic disturbances for their slow population growth, Rahman said efforts are on for increasing their number.

The wildlife lovers have demanded stern steps to prevent poaching. “There should be an intensive research on the factors responsible for poor population growth of RBT in Satkosia and Similipal and the steps to be taken to increase their number,” said Prasanna Kumar Behera, district wildlife warden.

Winged guests flock to Chilika

BHUBANESWAR: With the winter setting in, over five lakh winter birds have arrived at Chilika lagoon as part of their annual sojourn.

At least three lakh birds have congregated at the 15.5 sq km Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. Apart from the protected area, another major congregation has been reported at the shoreline close to Mangalajodi-Bhushandpur villages where the birds have found sufficient food.

Species such as Shovellers, Pintails, Gadwals, Glossy IBIS, Bar-headed Geese and Open-billed Storks have been sighted in large numbers. About 400 Flamingoes have also been roosting in the submersible Nalabana sanctuary, sources said.

Unlike last year when the birds number had dropped because of Phailin, there is no impact of cyclonic storm Hud Hud on arrival of the birds this time. In 2013 winter, at least 7.19 lakh birds had arrived at Chilika which was about 1.5 lakh less than the number of winged visitors at the 1,100 sq km lagoon the previous year.

More number of birds are expected at Nalabana during December and January after water level recedes. “Water has not completely receded from the mud-flats and when it happens, more number of wader species will arrive.

Anticipating more avian guests in the next two months, the Chilika Wildlife Division has brought in more personnel to keep poachers at bay.

While 17 protection camps have already been set up to keep a watch on hunters and TRADERS, APR forces have joined the patrol teams now.

Meanwhile, the wildlife officials are likely to start collection of serum samples from the migratory birds during December-January to keep an eye on avian influenza which has been reported in European countries.

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Chilika Only site from Asia to be selected by United Nation as ‘Destination Flyways’

Odisha`s Chilika lagoon, which is a hotspot for biodiversity, has been named `destination flyways` by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) following its inclusion in a list of eight such sites worldwide.

Chilika is the only site to be selected from Asia by the UNWTO and was recommended by six international agencies such as Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity, Convention of Migratory Species, Ramsar Convention Secretariat, World Heritage and Man and the Biosphere Programmes of UNESCO.

The UNWTO has constituted a mission team for Chilika in January, which is being headed by Virginia Trapa and Dr Taej Mundkur. The team met top brass of Union Ministry of Tourism and Odisha Tourism Department during its visit to Chilika last week. They also held discussion with CDA’s Chief Executive Ajit Patnaik on the management of the lagoon.

There are about four mouths in Chilika including the old Palur mouth.

The other three are Gabakunda inlet, Dhalabali inlet and new Phailin inlet (opened after the cyclone Phailin).

The water body also boasts off about 211 bird species, largest Irrawaddy dolphin population, 217 fish species and more than 30 migratory species, according to CDA estimate.

Strategic Partnerships have been made with a number of voluntary and community based organisations and a close monitoring system has been put in place by the authorities.

Following such steps, there has been a seven-fold increase in alternative sources of livelihood for local community.

At present, about Rs 40 crore per annum is being earned from community-based eco-tourism activities.

Near about 850 boats are being used for dolphin watching and 400 vessels to conduct the tourists for bird watching.

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Rhino Welcome Winged Guest Guwahati

Jumbo herd damages crop in Mayurbhanj

BHUBANESWAR: The elephant herd roaming in Mayurbhanj district has already damaged crop over 50 acre. Divisional forest officer (Baripada) Sanjay Swain said the elephants are currently moving close to Dalki reserve forest near Nadur village.

The forest department has engaged 150 trained personnel to keep an eye on the herd. "People of 30 villages, adjoining the reserve forest, are panicky.

Avian Guests Arrive at Bhitarkanika National Park

KENDRAPARA: With the onset of winter, thousands of migratory birds have started arriving at the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district as part of their annual sojourn.

Divisional Forest Officer of the park Kedar Kumar Swain on Monday said a large number of migratory water birds like Gadwall, Pintail, Lesser Whistling Duck, Teal, Geese, Stork, Swans, Grebes, Rails, Coots, Sandpipers, Plovers, Skimmers and residential birds thronged Bhitarkanika for nesting and breeding.

Bhitarkanika is also home to 85 species of migratory avian species like Northern Pintail, Gull-billed Tern, Common Sand Piper, Bar-headed Geese, Red Kite, Ruddy, Little Grebe, Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Flamingo. These birds have also started arriving and will remain here throughout the winter, the DFO said.

Swain said the Bagagahan, a heronry of avian species within the park, also serves as a temporary abode for the winter guests. After traversing thousands of kilometres, the birds land in the water bodies of Hukitola, Satabhaya, Agaranashi and other six tiny islands near the park, he added.

The huge gathering of birds in Bhitarkanika and their activities is a visual treat. The area provides an extensive feeding ground for them because of availability of abundant fish in the river. Its water bodies regulated by tides, provide a congenial atmosphere to settle down.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent poaching during the season, forest officials have taken adequate steps. The forest guards are patrolling the park and its nearby areas. Officials have organised camps in the villages of Gupti and Talachua within the park to create awareness among the locals to protect the avian guests. Villagers have also promised to protect the birds and prevent poachers to kill birds or any animals in these areas, added the forest official.

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Eco-sensitive tag for Rushikulya sought

BERHAMPUR: Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has suggested that the rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles near Rushikulya river mouth be declared an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

A large number of Olive Ridleys lay eggs on a five-km stretch near the river mouth. It is considered the second largest rookery in the world for Olive Ridleys after Gahirmatha.

Olive Ridleys arrive at Gahirmatha coast

 A large number of Olive Ridley sea turtles have arrived at the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary for mating, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarakanika National Park Kedar Kumar Swain said on Wednesday.

After the mating period is over, the female turtles will arrive at the coast at the dead of the night for laying eggs. Hatchlings would emerge from these eggs after 45-60 days and find their way to the sea. Each year, the sea turtles arrive in Gahirmatha in the first week of November.

The turtles also visit the Rushikulya and Devi river mouths in large numbers for mass nesting. "To protect the marine species, the forest department has established hatcheries at Aagarnasi, Pentha and Babubali in Gahirmatha. Forest guards will collect eggs from the pits and put them in hatcheries to save the eggs from dogs, wild boars, jackals and birds. 

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