Bhubaneswar, March 14: The state government today said that it was developing 32 places as eco-tourism spots across the state to attract tourists and nature lovers.
These spots are located in 19 wildlife divisions in 14 districts across the state. The spots include Mangalajodi and Berhampur along the Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and Dangmal, Gupti and Habalikhati near Bhitarkanika national park.
The other major eco-tourism sports are Tikarpada tiger reserve at Satkosia wildlife division in Angul, Anshupa lake in Cuttack, Daringbadi and Belghar hill stations in Kandhamal.
Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Bhim Dunguri hill, which had 63 beautiful caves and had been declared as an eco-tourism spot, lacked proper infrastructure such as road connectivity, electricity and water supply. Though Rs 25 lakh had been sanctioned for developing tourism infrastructure there, the pace of construction was very slow.
Forest and environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said the regional chief conservator of forests, Bhawanipatna and Balangir divisional forest officer, had visited the spot. He assured that it would be inquired whether there had been proper utilisation of the sanctioned funds.
"Action would be taken against officials responsible for negligence," he said.
BJP state president Basanta Kumar Panda demanded that the Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary in Nuapada district be developed into an eco-tourism spot. The site has 11 waterfalls and the Upper Jonk reservoir on the foothills. Besides, the forest has several rare species of medicinal plants, he said. Arukh assured to look into the matter.
BJD members Sanjiv Sahoo and Nrusingha Charan Sahu urged the minister to augment accommodation facilities at Tikarpada tiger reserve to attract more tourists and nature lovers.
Arukh said cottages and tented accommodations had been set up to facilitate night halt of nature lovers and tourists. An interpretation centre had been put in place in Satkosia to provide information on wildlife, including crocodiles and turtles.
Congress MLAs Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Chandresekhar Majhi said hilly and forested areas of undivided Koraput district had several scenic spots that could be developed into eco-tourism spots.
They lamented that not a single place in the district had been declared as eco-tourism spot. The minister assured to examine the suggestions seriously.
Congress MLA Anshuman Mohanty also brought to the minister's notice the lack of amenities such as toilets and water at Khola and Gupti in Bhitarkanika national park to which the minister assured to look into it.
