Daringbadi: The Odisha government is banking on the tourism sector to increase its revenue. As a part of this plan, it has drawn up a roadmap to develop Rusimal hill, a scenic place in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, into a tourist spot. The picture-postcard place, concealed amid lush green forests and hills, is still inaccessible to people. For many years, locals have been demanding the development of infrastructure in and around Rusimal hill. The place is important as the Rushikulya river originates from this hill and meanders through Sorada block in Ganjam district.
Over the years, the place has gained in religious importance. People and devotees from various parts of Odisha and outside the state come to this place during the Baruni Yatra festival and take a holy dip in the Rushikulya river. They negotiate hilly tracks to offer prayers at this hallowed place. They also believe that sadhus reside inside dense forests. Some weeks back, Daringbadi BDO had undertaken an arduous journey through hilly terrains from Tamangi village under Tajungi panchayat. He reached Rusimal hill after negotiating difficult tracks for approximately five kilometres.
Sources said that the district tourism department in a letter to the BDO had urged him to collect information about Rusimal hill. Accordingly, he had taken the trip to explore the area. Official sources said, the Odisha government is planning to accord ‘tourist spot’ status to this religiously important place by taking up various development works. The government feels many more tourists will visit the place if the infrastructure is improved.