Puri: Cyclonic storm Fani has completely destroyed Nuanai Nature Camp at Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary in the district here.
The summer storm, that made a landfall on Puri district coast May 3, has damaged almost all cottages and a restaurant at the nature camp. Besides, the cyclonic storm has left a trail of devastation on the green cover at the ecotourism centre. The centre has been closed for tourists since May 3.
Devotees and tourists from across the globe usually gather in Puri to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath at Srimandir and spend some quality times on the city beach.
The Holy City has hundreds of hotels and lodging houses to cater to the visitors.
In this scenario, the Forest department had planned to set up an ecotourism centre at Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary to attract more tourists to the Holy City.
The Forest department had set up 10 cottages near Nuanai river inside the sanctuary. All the cottages had the required facilities for night stay.
The department had constructed a restaurant for the tourists. Besides, there was boating facility for the visitors. The nature camp was inaugurated February 1, 2017.
Soon after the inauguration, the nature camp was a point of attraction for tourists. The ecotourism centre was catering to tourists and nature lovers.
“Many tourists preferred to stay at the nature camp and watch wild animals including spotted deer at night. However, the cyclonic storm has taken a heavy toll on Nuanai nature camp. The camp has been completely ravaged by the cyclone,” said a source in the Forest department.