Monalisa Patsani, OP
Bhubaneswar June 3: Nature lovers will now have a new destination to explore the beauty of state’s flora and fauna. Tourists can enjoy the nature camp at Daringbadi and Mandasaru, often dubbed as the ‘Silent Valley of Orissa.’ State government has started the construction of six timber cottages at Daringbadi. The cottages are likely to be thrown open to the visitors in next two months. The project spreads over three acres. It is being executed by the Phulbani Forest Division authorities of Kandhamal district of Raikia Block. “The construction of 90 percent of the cottages is complete. The interior designing is left. We hope to finish that soon. The luxurious cot
tages will be laced with all sorts of facilities. The tourists will also be able to relish local cuisines made of vegetables and fruits farmed organically,” regional chief conservator of forest (Berhampur), Sashi Paul, said. “We are going to train the members of the self help groups so that they could be able to serve tourists,” added Paul. Referring to the beauty of the region, Paul said, “The area is a
mystic place with natural beauty, hills and waterfalls. The view of Mandasaru gorge could enthral tourists. The fall is barely 7.5 kms away from the cottages. The place could become the favourite destination for tourists during summer season. The spot faces only 15 days of summer in a year.” “The region has rich biodiversity . Recently, around eight types of new species were identified from
Mandasaru. We have also started the medicinal plants conservation in the areas,” he added. Informing more on tourists’ facilities, he said, “There will be a children park, orchidiarium, and sight-seeing points with sitting arrangements. We are also erecting a watch tower and building up a 2.5km long nature trail for trekking along the gorge.” “We are also planning to start a ropeway. The proposal has been pitched before the concerned authorities. But, we are yet to receive any confirmation,” he added. Once the site gets operational, the booking of cottages can be done online through ecotour Odisha. Daringbadi and Mandasaru may become a haven for photographers, urban and foreign tourists, researchers and scholars.