Prafulla Samal and (below) Debi Prasad Mishra

Bhubaneswar, May 22: The forest and environment department along with the tourism department is getting ready to promote sanctuary tourism in Odisha to focus on wildlife habitats across the state.

There are 18 wildlife sanctuaries, one marine national park, two national parks and several protected reserved forests in the state.

With the aim of attracting more tourists to the reserved forest areas, the state government will build or upgrade infrastructure as well at the eco-tourism sites.

On Monday, state forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra and state tourism and culture minister Prafulla Samal emphasised on the development of tourism in Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, Similipal and eco-tourism infrastructures in places such as Saptasajya, Pradhanpat and Khandadhar falls.

The state government has planned to develop nature trails, forest rest houses and public conveniences in Kulibhanjadia and Jayanagar in Bhitarkania under the Rajnagar Forest Division.

Pampasar, Labangi, Tikarpada, Chhamundia and Baliput will have an interpretation centre and amenities to facilitate tourism promotion around Satkosia.

“We are going to develop a lot of eco-tourism destinations across the state and target higher-income groups. The site near Satkosia gorge was famous for tents and trekking, but recent development in Athmallik in the first year itself has shown that people are now eager to explore eco-tourism sites. So, we want to spread it to other places. Development of spas with local herbal remedies can also be planned. The forest department has already developed many herbal gardens in the state,” Mishra said.

Jayant Ch. Mardaraj Harichandan, member, state wildlife board, said: “There is a need to develop infrastructure. The Athmallik area happens to have more than 80 hot springs within a single cluster, but to restore them there is no concrete planning by any agency concerned.”

There are plans to develop an interpretation centre in Pradhanpat under Deogarh forest division by renovating the old structure.

An amount of Rs 1 crore would be provided to develop the eco-tourism infrastructure near Khandadhar falls under Bonai Forest Division. For Saptasajya under Dhenkanal Forest Division and Rajahans under Chilika Wildlife Division, facilities will be upgraded and floating jetty will be provided for the tourists.