Bhubaneswar: With overwhelming results from the eco-retreat interventions in post-lockdown scenario, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed the officials concerned to identify more locations for enhancing nature tourism activities in the state.
Mahapatra gave this direction while reviewing the present state and future prospect of nature tourism in the state at a high-level meeting held Friday.
Officials from Tourism, Forest & Environment and Water Resources departments were asked to identify more locations for enhancing nature tourism activities in the state.
“The Collectors should identify locations for setting up year-round eco-retreat sites, nature camps, day destinations, river cruise, boating, jungle safari, wild life sighting towers etc,” he said.
As selection of the appropriate site for nature tourism is very crucial for taking it to the next level, the Chief Secretary advised Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev and Idco CMD Sanjay Kumar Singh to verify the identified locations and evaluate their potential for development as year-round tourist destinations.
The proposals regarding scaling up such activities at Talasari, Konark, Satpada, Chandipur, Debrig arh, Bhitarkanita, Similipal, Daringibadi, Astarang, Satkosia gorge, Tikarpada, Hirakud, Chilika and Nalabana were discussed in the meeting.
He directed to demarcate tourism zones in forest areas, list out the dams, river stretches and water bodies having good potential for boating, cruises and placement of houseboats. It was decided that the diesel motor boats engaged in tourist sites would be converted to CNG mode.
He advised the Forest Department to start nature camps in 30 to 40 new locations during the year. It was also decided to invite more private sector investment for making the nature tourism activity more competitive and employment generating.
PNN