Sambalpur: The Gudguda waterfall that had been trickling away in the dense forest of Kuchinda sub-division, about 120km from here, has turned into a major tourist attraction and picnic destination, thanks to the forest department's infrastructure development.

The waterfall draws tourists from Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The forest department recently carried out beautification works at Gudguda to attract more tourists and picnickers and add to its natural beauty, by spending Rs 50 lakhs from the tourism department.

A beautiful arch gate has been constructed to welcome the visitors near the waterfall with five eco-shops and an attached rest shed. A cement bridge has also been constructed, said Bamra forest division divisional forest officer Sanata Kumar.

That apart, changing rooms, concrete platforms for picnickers have also been built. A 6km trail has been developed to allow people trek to the source of the waterfall.

The administration has formed the Vana Sangrakhyana Samiti - an eco-tourism group - with local volunteers and entrusted them with the management of tourism activities and collection of users fee.

A government official said: "We have strictly enforced the law and volunteers of the eco-tourism group will keep vigil on the area and guide the visitors." Every year, about 50,000 visitors, including picnickers during the winter months, visit the waterfall. That number is likely to go up, the official said.

The presence of a large number of Kudo fish, considered holy by the local residents, has added the waterfall's beauty. "It is such a nice place," said Manjubani, a visitor to the area.