Sambalpur: The state government has decided to develop Deojharan, known for its waterfall, and the nearby dam in the district as an eco-tourism centre.

The state tourism department has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for project's first phase of development. The district administration had submitted a project of Rs 1 crore to be spent in phased manner for the purpose. In the first phase, the administration has planned to construct 20 kitchens for the use of visitors. Apart from that, there will be provision for boating facilities, improvement of platforms, construction of toilets and viewpoints on the both sides of the stream.

Afterwards, there are plans for construction of a guest house, watch tower on the top of the hill, a garden and a children park.

A medium irrigation dam was constructed on the downstream of Deojharan about 10 years ago. A Shiv-Durga temple is situated nearby.

The dam is surrounded by three forests. After falling from a height of more than 50 feet, the water flows into the dam below.

Tourists visits the place especially during winter and summer for picnics. The waterfall is situated around 30km from Sambalpur and 10km from the national highway between Sambalpur and Rairakhol. "It is a peaceful place with natural surroundings. After its development, more domestic and international tourists will come," said Sambalpur deputy collector Sutanshu Tripathy.

Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari has thanked the chief minister Naveen Patnaik and tourism minister Ashok Chandra Panda for sanctioning the project.