Tower Plan at Chilika to Attract Visitors

Chilika Lake is set to have an iconic tower at Satapada to attract tourists.

Visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the brackish-water lake from the top of the tower. The proposed complex will have the tower, a lagoon park (aquarium and bird galleries), food court and other amenities to attract visitors.

"The tower is something with which one identifies a place. Just like New York is identified with the Statue of Liberty and Paris with Eiffel Tower, Chilika will be identified with this tower. We have put this as part of a tourism master plan for the Chilika Lake and its catchment areas. Once the proposal gets the state government's nod, the tower will come up," said Sandeep Subhash, the chief architect of IPE Global, which is designing the master plan for the lagoon with Chilika Development Authority (CDA).

Subhash was here in the city today to take part in a discussion on 10 priority sites with proposed projects such as hotel hubs, day cruise, eco village, iconic tower and Lagoon Park, forest lodge, boarding school, resort-cum-convention centre, budget hotels and water-based recreation activities.

The iconic tower at Satapada would be 60 to 100 metres high. The master plan will require an investment of Rs 500 to 600 crore," associate director (urban development) of IPE Global Anil Bansal told The Telegraph.

Tour planner Debashish Mohapatra said: "The state government should try to ensure safer and better boat rides in the lagoon to enhance tourist footfall."

From its top, Sea Mouth, Nalaben, Barkul, Honeymoon Island, Rambha and other landmarks will be visible.

Go Boating From Oct in Mahanadi Gorge

BHUBANESWAR: Come October, tourists will be able to go boating in the Mahanadi gorge.

The Satkosia Tiger Reserve authorities have decided to start the facility with a two-pronged aim — to woo tourists as well as provide employment to fishermen who have been deprived of an income after a ban was imposed on fishing in the gorge.

Boating was not a part of eco-tourism in Satkosia as a restriction had been imposed on it to maintain the serenity of the gorge, which is home to the endangered muggers and gharials. But recently, the Satkosia authorities sent a proposal to the government to introduce boating to help fishermen, who have been debarred from fishing, to eke out a living out of their engagement in boating service.

The Satkosia authorities are already in possession of a power boat that may be used for the purpose. The boat can accommodate 25 people.

"We will have to obtain a licence for running of the power boat. We will also have to seek driving licences for the drivers and assistants. Through the boat service, we will be able to engage fishermen who have been complaining that their earnings have been hit after the ban on fishing. Secondly, many tourists come here hoping to go boating in the gorge," said Satkosia field director Anup Nayak.

The Mahanadi gorge is 22-km long but it has core and buffer areas demarcated. "We will take tourists in boat in a limited area in the buffer zone. According to plan, we can have a minimum 500 metres and maximum 2.5 km boat journey in the gorge. We will charge a fee for it. Whatever revenue we generate from the boating we will use for maintenance and salaries for the fishermen engaged as guides and assistants. We will also set aside some funds for Satkosia Tiger Reserve Foundation," added Nayak.

In July, the reserve authorities launched a plantation drive of fruit bearing trees on the lands of fishermen to provide them with an alternative livelihood source. Two species of mango and cashew were provided to 27 fishermen, who have agricultural land. The fishermen were given training in digging pits, planting and subsequent maintenance. After three years, the fishermen can earn about Rs 60,000 a year by selling the fruits, authorities said.

Nayak said the fishermen who are landless would be engaged in boating and entertaining the tourists.

Source: Hotels in Bhubaneswar

Two Lighted Spots on Tourism Map

Bhubaneswar, August 2: The Puri and the Paradip lighthouses are the two new entries in the list of lighthouses in the state that would be developed as tourist spots. The other lighthouses of the state – the lighthouse at Gopalpur, Chandrabhaga and False Point – were already there in the plan made by the directorate general of lighthouses and lightships under the ministry of shipping that has decided to develop 66 lighthouses across the country as popular tourist destinations. Now, Orissa has five lighthouses that would be developed by the government as tourist destinations. Minister of shipping, Nitin Gadkari, informed the Parliament in a written reply, recently. 

The department had earlier, in 2011, announced the development of three destinations, Gopalpur, Chandrabhaga and False Point. The department had then given importance to Gopalpur as it appeared to them as an ideal spot for a serene beach resort in eastern India; Chandrabhaga was chosen for its proximity to the Konark temple and the False Point lighthouse was chosen for it heritage structure.  

Of the new entries the lighthouse at Puri is situated around 8 kms from the Puri railway station and has tourist importance keeping in mind its proximity to the famous Jagannath temple. It is spread over an area of 0.60 acres. The report made by the department says no ‘natural features’ such as mountains, water streams etc. exist near the site and also there is no famous surviving ‘folk art’ centre near the site.

The Paradip lighthouse is spread over a sprawling 1.22 hectares of land and is being operated by the Paradip Port Trust. Situated near the mouth of the Mahanadi, it has potential to attract tourists from nearby places. However, the study done by the department has shown that there are hardly any ‘natural features’ such as mountains, streams and waterfalls near the site.

Experts from the tourism sector, meanwhile, are not very impressed with the execution of the plan in the three places, development of which were announced in 2011. Commenting on the issue, Sanghamitra Jena, an eco-tourism expert of the city said, “This, I believe, is just another announcement. Not much has been done on the ground relating to the earlier projects in the state. Puri, Konark and Gopalpur already have got lighthouses. Why till now nothing has been done there regarding ticketing facilities?” 

Other sites in the country, which would be developed on the same lines include, Ratnagiri and Betul in Maharashtra, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, Aguada in Goa, Dwarka and Alang in Gujarat among others.

Shared By: Hotels in Bhubaneswar

Odisha Govt Reopens Bhitarkanika National Park for Tourists

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government reopens Bhitarkanika National Park for tourists. This was informed by the forest department offcial.  

In view of breeding season of estuarine crocodiles, three-month-long prohibition on entry of tourists and visitors to the wetland sites of the park had been clamped from 1 May. 

145 square kilo metre stretch Bhitarkanika National Park with its vast expanse of mangrove cover and wetland spots is an ideal ecotourism destination for camping, trekking and picnics. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its saltwater crocodiles,resident and migrant avian species and huge varieties of mangrove species. Besides millions of endangered olive ridley sea turtles turn up at Gahirmatha beach every year for mass-nesting. 

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Bhitarkanika Opens Gates For Tourists

Paradip, Aug. 1: The Bhitarkanika National Park opened today after remaining out of bounds for tourists for three months in view of the breeding season of estuarine crocodiles.

"In view of the crocodiles' breeding, a three-month-long prohibition on the entry of tourists and visitors to the wetland sites had been clamped from May 1," said officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

"The ban on tourists' entry is enforced in the park as human interference disturbs the breeding animals. The reptiles turn violent and attack intruders during this period. So, the objective is to ensure the safety of humans and provide congenial environment to the crocodiles," said Acharya.

"Booking of tourists' cottages has already begun. We are ready to play host to domestic and international tourists after this break. We receive around 50,000 tourists each year. Our aim is to ensure safe and comfortable sojourn for the visitors, who throng here in large numbers. It has been made mandatory for the visitors to submit proof of identity to get the entry permit of the national park," said a forest official.

Boat journeys along the mangrove-covered water bodies are a major attraction for tourists here. On any given day, around 400 tourists enjoy boat rides.

Keeping the tourists' safety in mind, the forest department has banned private boats, which are devoid of life jackets and other safety gadgets. Directions have also been issued to abide by the safety guidelines. Those found flouting the order would be barred from operating in the water bodies.

Around 145sqkm stretch of the national park, with its vast expanse of mangrove cover and wetland spots, is an ideal eco-tourism destination for camping and trekking. Picnickers also throng the park in large numbers.

The sanctuary is famous for its saltwater crocodiles, along with resident and migrant avian species. Besides, millions of endangered olive ridley sea turtles turn up at the Gahirmatha beach every year for mass nesting. The latest census, which was held earlier this year, found 1,644 crocodiles nesting in the national park.

Shared By: Hotels in Bhubaneswar