Nayagarh: Quite like past years, Nayagarh administration celebrated the ‘World Tourism Day’ this Friday with a rally that was more mechanical than anything else. The soul of tourism, the tourist sites, meanwhile remained forgotten in the district just as they have always been.
The banners put up by the district administration on the occasion at various locations read ‘Tourism and jobs: A better future for all’. But the reality shows a rather gloomy picture here.
Locals say, the tourist spots in this district are no less when compared to other destinations of the state in terms of scenic beauty. That said, all these spots are lying in utter neglect owing to administrative apathy.
The tourism department has identified 14 spots here as tourist destinations. These spots are Baramula of Gania, Raghunathjew of Odagaon, Dwitikeshwar temple of Jamupatna, Neelamadhab temple of Kantilo, Kuturi Dak Bunglow, Kuanria Dam, Dakhinakali temple in Nayagarh town, Maninaga Temple in Ranpur, Ladubaba temple in Sarankul, Udayapur library in Nuagaon block, Neelakandara in Bhapur block, Gokulananda Peeth in Siddhamula, Panchupali Pragnya and the lone Buddhist site Jogi Jogiani Peetha.
These apart, there are several places that need to be declared as tourist destinations. Some of these places include Mahaveer temple in Daspalla, Simili waterfalls near Sarankul, Sunamuhin temple in Khandapara and Jharadei shrine in Nayagarh.
Senior citizens are of the opinion that the district is treasure trove of natural beauty. But these spots, bestowed with all the natural beauty, have not been developed as they ought to have been. “The lack of willpower in the administration is taking their toll on these spots,” they alleged.
The district is receiving lakhs of rupees for developing these spots. However, all the planning, development and expenditure remain confined to pen and paper, locals alleged. Had the money been spent purposefully, there would have been a noticeable transformation, they argued.
A point in case – three years ago, foundation stone was laid to develop Panchupandav hills as a tourist destination. Three years is a long enough duration for the administration and the government to develop a place. Nothing has been done here so far.
The tourist office in Nayagarh runs from a small cabin of Pathani Samant Sanskruti Bhawan. The office can always be found locked.
Since joining of a tourist officer, people do come to this office once in a blue moon. Whenever asked about the reason for the office being under locks, the evasive officials have the same excuse each time- ‘the staff was out of station due to official works’.
A new building for this office has been constructed at PTS road. Six months have passed since the building was inaugurated. However, the tourism office continues to function from the same cabin. People say the aim with which the building was constructed is yet to be fulfilled.
When asked as to why the office has not been shifted, tourism officer Debaduttta Rath said, “Some portions of the internal works are yet to be finished. Once these works are completed, the office will be shifted.”
No foreign tourist has come to this district in past five years even though the district has many attractions such as Badamula Satakosia resort. Local people have blamed lack of promotional activities for this lackluster result.
That said, the silver lining is the ongoing work at Balangi Bandh Park. With construction of a ropeway, watch tower, boating facility, children park, musical fountain, rock climbing and museum, this park looks poised to change the face of tourism in the district.
PNN