Paradip, Nov. 28: The state government has recognised British era heritage monuments as eco-tourism destinations in Kendrapara district.
With this recognition, these structures could be revamped with tourism infrastructure development funds.
"The sprawling Hukitola colonial building and the False Point lighthouse have received tourist spot tag. The state government has sent us a letter recognising them as eco-tourism destinations. Now, these heritage sites could be given a facelift with tourism infrastructure development funds," said district tourist officer Bijay Kumar Mohanty.
The tourism development grant was not allotted to these sites, as they did not figure in list of tourist spots. But, these structures received adequate conservation aid from Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme by the Centre, Mohanty said.
"Hukitola and False Point lighthouse spots are major attractions for tourists. I think these are the most gorgeous eco-tourism sites that Odisha can boast of. They attract large number of international tourists every year as well," said Kendrapara resident Ranjit Mohanty.
Mohanty said tourists were also drawn to these sites as it was close to the Mahanadi deltaic region. He said the area has mangroves and sea and a trip to the spot virtually ensured a view of natural beauty.
The Englishmen commissioned the False Point lighthouse, which is the oldest in eastern coast, in 1838. The lighthouse campus encloses the small clusters of graves of Englishmen who died while officiating there. The gravestones carry inscription of lighthouse staff and their families who lived in the island. Prominent among those who perished then was Captain H. A. Harris, the conservator of Orissa ports. He died in May 1877.
Hukitola colonial building is a stone-cut edifice, located in an uninhibited island close to the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The marvellous monument bears the signature of excellent British technical designing.
"The grand structure is reminder of the fact that this region was the hub of maritime trade and commerce during British Raj. It was the warehouse of the then False Point Port. The warehouse especially designed to withstand salinity impact is storm-proof. One of its significant characteristic is that the Victorian era monument has a meticulously planned rain water harvesting system," said Bijoy Kumar Rath, archaeologist and former superintendent of state archaeology department.
Trip to the spot virtually ensures one to come under warmth of nature. The deserted building in an isolated and unmanned island is a breath-taking sight.
The 11,250 square feet structure at the Hukitola Island is literally cradled by the Bay of Bengal on one side and overlapped by the river mouth of Mahanadi one the other. It's a tourists' delight.
