SAMBALPUR: State tourism director Sachin R Jadhav recently visited the Hirakud dam to assess the location for setting up camps for a proposed eco retreat near the site.
The three-month eco retreat will be organised at Balbaspur near the left dyke area of the Hirakud dam from December 1 to February 28. About 25 three-star cottage suites will be set up, besides a conference hall, a restaurant, a bar and other recreational facilities. The objective of the event is to help revive the pandemic-hit tourism in the region.
Moreover, a number of events and activities will be also conducted during the period. These will include water sports in the Hirakud dam reservoir, cycle-riding, rifle-shooting, boat ride, ropeway ride besides nature trail in the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary and sight-seeing of other nearby tourist places. Those with prior booking can avail themselves of these activities. However, the locals can enjoy the water sports and other daily activities during the period.
Officials said basic amenities including sewerage, road connectivity, communication and sanitation facilities will be made at Balbaspur. The district administration has been asked to complete all arrangements by November 20.
The tourism director was accompanied by district collector Subham Saxena, subcollector Mayur Suryawanshi, divisional forest officer (Sambalpur) Sanjeet Kumar and DFO (Hirakud wildlife division) Paratap Kottapalli, among other officials of the district administration, during his visit to the site.