Bhubaneswar, Dec. 23: The state government will prepare a master plan for promotion and development of eco-tourism destinations.

Chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati, who presided over a meeting of Odisha Eco-tourism Development Board, said local communities should be involved to conserve and preserve wildlife and eco-tourism.

Orissa Eco-tourism Development Board has been set up to plan, develop and facilitate eco-tourism projects in the state. The board has identified destinations, which would be developed in partnership with government agencies, local communities and other stake holders.

A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of development commissioner U.N. Behera to work out the details of the master plan.

Two delegations from Odisha have already studied the eco-tourism models adopted in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh and these studies were expected to come handy while preparing the master plan. The board has undertaken bio-diversity mapping of the eco-tourist destinations.

Experts, tour operators and hoteliers have suggested development of eight destinations in the first phase. Chilika, Bhitarkanika, Similipal, Kuldiha, Satkosia, Debrigarh, Nandankanan and Chandka have been identified for augmentation of facilities and services. Steps will also be initiated to develop destinations such as Bramhapura, Satapada, Balikhand, Ansupa, Saptasaya, Mangalajodi and Rajhans.

The annual action plan of Rs. 4.37 crore for 2015-16 was approved in the meeting. Activities such as preparations of destination-specific flyers and instruction guides, organising travel agent meets, creative content development, preparation of audio-visuals, advertisement in travel websites and various media will be taken up under the annual action plan.

Odisha, which has 31 per cent forest cover, beautiful rivers, reservoirs, mountains and hills, rich flora and fauna, has tremendous eco-tourism potential. The state is in proud possession of 86 species of mammals, 473 birds species and 110 reptile species. Besides, it has 3,000 species of plants, including 132 orchid species, 60 mangrove plant species and 350 species of medicinal plants.

There are two national parks, 19 wildlife sanctuaries and three tiger reserves, which are ideal tourist sites.

The major destinations include, Simlipal and Bhitarkaniaka national park, Chilika lake, Chandka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary, Nandan Kanan zoological park, Satkoshia tiger reserve, Kuldiha and Debrigarh wildlife sanctuaries.

The meeting also decided to streamline boat ride in Chilika lake and other tourist spots across the state to ensure safety of tourists.

The boats will be registered and insured. These vessels will be fitted with global positioning system devices so that their location can be traced from anywhere. There will be life jackets in the boats so that passengers can save themselves in case of any mishap.

Chief secretary Pati directed the officials to come up with promotion and publicity strategies of Odisha tourism integrating golden triangle, Buddhist circuits and eco-tourism destinations.