Berhampur: The coastline of Ganjam is dotted with natural picnic spots, sceneries and beaches like-Gopalpur, Arjyapalli and Pati Sonepur . Many of these beaches do not attract visitors as they are not being properly maintained. The locals blamed it on the apathy of the district administration. Of the three, only Gopalpur beach attracts some tourists.
Although these beaches are well connected with NH, it does not help them in terms of tourist footfall. Moreover, lack of facilities like boating, toilets, drinking water and amusements have rendered these beaches unattractive.
Take for example Pati Sonepur beach. One has to cross the Bahuda river by a boat to reach the Pati Sonepur beach which is a nesting place for Olive Ridleys.
Although a large number of tourists visit the place, local youths expressed resentment as the administration did very little to promote it as a tourist destination and attract large number of picknickers.
Local youths have taken upon themselves to clean the beach with no help from the administration. Local youths have appealed to the authorities concerned several times in the past to construct toilets, cement benches and pathways at the beach for the convenience of tourists but nothing has come of it.
Sources said the tourism department has sent a proposal to higher-ups for construction of a Panthanivas along with boating facilities in the Bahuda river and other amenities at the beach, but to no avail.
PNN