Bhograi: If you have made up your mind for staycation and want to unwind, then Bichitrapur under Bhograi block in Balasore district along the Bay of Bengal could be your destination.
Already having the status of an eco-tourism spot, Bichitrapur has four islands within its 5-km-long circumference. Once you landed here, its natural beauty and tranquility make you feel that you are in a fairyland.
There is a forest of exotic plants, spreading over 50 acres. Created by the forest department, this forest has been attracting visitors. At one end, there is vast blue sea and at the other, nature at its best with green trees standing as liveried sentries and birds singing songs, making the visitors feel as if they were there to welcome them.
At any given point of time, one can hear chirping of different species of birds like open billed stork, Sarus, White Heron and Black Heron. In the winter season, one can feast his eyes on the verities of colourful migratory birds, perched on trees or searching food in water.
Wild animals can also be sighted. At the same time, red crabs playing hide and seek in blue water, dolphins playing water sports and olive ridley turtles laying eggs will make your time at the islands memorable.
Another attraction is the casuarinas forest. It helps check soil erosion and at the same time adds beauty to the spot. At the time of sunrise and sunset, the beauty of casuarinas forest is seen to be believed.
If you want to spend more time in the lap of nature here, you can. There are six air-conditioned tents and four cottages here. To spend a night, you have to spend Rs 3,600. Similarly, there are two motorized boats provided by the tourism department to take you around the islands. Each boat can take a minimum four and maximum eight visitors. The visitors have to buy tickets to enjoy the ride.
According to local people, an office building was constructed and a road was laid out, spending Rs40 lakhs in 2013. “A lot is left to be done to make the spot more attractive. While there has been drinking water problem, the roads are not illuminated. The government should take steps to develop the spot so that more tourists will come to the spot,” they observed.
They also added that many trees were uprooted under the impact of cyclone ‘Yaas’. The government should take steps to replenish the loss.
When contacted, Bhograi MLA and chairman of district planning committee Ananta Das said the government is aware of the shortcomings at the tourist spot and is taking steps for the development of the spot in phase manner.
Similarly, forester Ajay Jena said the central and state governments should declare a package for the development of infrastructure. Echoing the same, local Congress leader Satyasiba Das alleged that if the tourism had not progressed as it should have been, it is only because of the lack of willpower on the parts of the central and state governments.
PNN