Shyamhari Chakra
Odisha is the only state in India to have initiated community model of eco-tourism where 80% of the revenue is shared by the community itself.
This was reflected in the Ecotour Annual Report for the year 2019-20 released today commemorating the state-level Wildlife Week celebrations.
The report highlights the steps taken by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Forest & Environment for upscaling of eco-tourism activities in the state.
During the past financial year, seven new eco-tourism destinations were created at Barehipani in Similipal, Chandipur, Chitrakonda, Satiguda, Nrusinghnath, Koraput Pine Forest and at Tensa, the report revealed.
Among these, three destinations have been opened for online booking by tourists and the response of Barehipani Ecotourism has been overwhelming, it added.
After addition of these seven ecotour properties, the total number of eco-tourism destinations across Odisha rises to 47 with availability of 333 rooms to accommodate above 1000 tourists per day.
The eco-tourism initiatives of the State Government have provided engagement to more than 600 community members who have been engaged in these eco-tourism nature camps, the report indicated.
So far, ecotour properties have been developed in 18 out of 30 districts of Odisha that include a number of tribal dominated regions like Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Kandhamal.
The tourists’ footfall at these places have seen a phenomenal rise during the year under report. As many as 46,000 tourists visited the sites that earned the state Rs.6.85-crore as revenue.
Meanwhile, boating facilities have been developed in different locations throughout the state since inception of community eco-tourism in Odisha during 2016. So far, 20 Nature Camps have got boating facilities, the report stated.
