Sambalpur, July 30: The municipal corporation is planning to develop Budharaja Reserve Forest to create a recreational space for citizens.

Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) is planning a major facelift of the area, which is spread across 63 hectares, and has decided to approach the forest department for alienation of 0.99 hectares at the hilltop.

Officials from the SMC, Sambalpur district collector Balwant Singh and divisional forest officer Santosh Joshi held a meeting with residents of Budharaja on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

"To increase tourist footfall, we have decided to develop a watch tower, community centre, parking space, musical fountain, sitting arrangements, kiosks and several other tourist amenities at the hilltop. But, it is essential to convert the land into non-forest land to carry out the development work," said SMC deputy commissioner Sudhansu Bhoi.

"We have sent a proposal to the tourism department to fund the project," he said.

Located at the heart of the city, the forest is a major tourist attraction. Thousands of tourists and devotees from across the state come to visit the Budharaja temple. The hilltop also offers a bird's eye view of the city.

Bhoi said that the SMC wanted to attract more visitors to the forest. "The reserve forest will remain protected if more people visit this place," he said.

Temple-goers and local residents welcomed the SMC's plans. "It is good news that plans are on to give the hilltop of Budharaja Reserve forest a facelift," said Jayanta Mohanty, a visitor to the temple. "The forest is the only green patch inside the city. Hundreds of people visit this place in the evening. If the proposals materialise, the place will certainly attract more visitors."

Dillip Purohit, a local resident, said: "A boundary wall should be constructed around the reserve area to protect it from encroachment."