Bhubaneswar, June 19: Tourists and nature lovers can now enjoy the beauty of beaches at Talsari, Udaipur and nearby places from the mangrove ecotourism project developed by the state forest department at Bichitrapur on the Odisha-Bengal border.

The project, set up at Kadhibil under the Bichitrapur mangrove forest range in Bhograi block, has been thrown open to visitors after chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated it on June 13.

The state government has funded Rs 1.2 crore for the project.

"One can enjoy watching a wide range of marine animals in a peaceful environment. We offer a package of Rs 4,000 per day. Bookings open from July 1," said Balasore divisional forest officer Harsh Bardhan Udgata.

"I am very excited to see the Bichitrapur beach," said Keshu Das, a tourist.

The package covers lodging, food and free boating in the creek.

There are four cottages, each with two beds and a wide dinning space. A sum of Rs 4,000 will be charged for 24 hours with complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner and boating in the creek near the Subarnarekha river mouth.

Lunch will also be available on payment for the daytime visitors.

Local resident Babuni Patra said: "This ecotourism project, once it comes up, will provide employment opportunities to local youths and also bring in economic development of the area."

Bichitrapur will be the second ecotourism project in the district after the one set up at the Kuldhia sanctuary near Rishia, which has nine tents for accommodation for tourists. Travellers can watch wildlife species in the sanctuary.

The forest authorities have also erected a watchtower for a better view of the sanctuary area. Moreover, to ensure the safety of tourists against animal attacks, trenches have been dug around the project area. Solar fencing has also been installed for additional security. Udgata said: "Our immediate objective is to shut down the night-stay facilities in the core area of the sanctuary to keep wildlife free from any disturbance caused by human movement and activities."

A visitor to the project area will need to pay Rs 1,000 for a bed and another Rs 500 for food, said the forest official.

The facility will remain open to tourists throughout the year, unlike the one in the core area of the sanctuary, he said.

The sanctuary is home to several wild animals such as leopards, elephants, deer and other threatened species, including porcupines, bisons and pangolins. The sanctuary is spread over 272.4 acres and is also home to a large number of pythons.