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.