Bhubaneswar: In an effort to promote ecotourism in Odisha, General Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra has ordered the development of more places for ecotourism in the state. Ecotourism has taken a successful step in Odisha with rewarding livelihoods for 600 local communities and a huge benefit for wildlife and forest conservation. The journey began in 2016 under the leading guidance of General Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, from the time it was added as a Forest and Environment Division for Forest and Environment (Forest and Environment).
This was announced during a high-level meeting held today in Lokseba Bhawan under the chairmanship of Mahapatra, in which the additional general secretary of forest and environment, dr. discussion. General Secretary Mahapatra reviewed the progress, collectors and engineers of the water resources department to identify more places that have greater potential for development for ecotourism and water sports facilities.
Furthermore, Mahapatra instructed officials from relevant departments to identify approximately 100 suitable sites in water bodies through joint verification for the construction of floating quays and boat facilities. The forest department also commissioned the identification of about 15 forest trails to give the tourists the jungle safari experience. All of these destinations will be managed by the local community, including Vana Sanrakshana Samitis (VSS) and Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Mahapatra made it clear that the locations need to be identified on the basis of “objective criteria of exotic experience for the tourists, and their competitiveness to be popular in the international market”. Mahapatra added: “The right choice of location and its popularization will soon attract private investment to the sector, and it will take the state’s ecotourism to a next higher level.”
Source: Telangana Today