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.
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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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-Satkosiagorge and Baisipalli. You can also witness rare and endangered birds here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TheOdisha 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.
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.
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, GlossyIBIS, 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 andTRADERS, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Wildlife Tour
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