Ecotourism has made a success stride in Odisha with rewarding livelihood opportunities to 600 local communities and immense benefit to the wildlife and forest conservation. The journey had started from 2016.
At a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Friday, Forest and Environment Secretary Dr Mona Sharma outlined the present ecotourism scenario in the State. The Chief Secretary directed the DFOs, Collectors and Water Resources Department to identify more spots having potential for development to ecotourism and eco-recreation centres.
He further directed officers of concerned departments to identify around 100 suitable sites in water bodies through a joint enquiry for setting up of jetties and boating facilities.
The Forest Department was also asked to identify around 15 forest tracks for giving jungle safari experience to tourists. He also wanted to convert the tents at eco-spots to cottages with proper fire safety precautions. He emphasised on making the ‘community management model’ more professional with appropriate training and orientation to the local community, VSS and SHG groups.
Dr Sharma said, “Community Ecotourism devised by Odisha has proved as a best practice leading to expected outcomes. In recent years Odisha has evolved as the only State in national level to have started community ecotourism.” Data showed the revenue earned from ecotourism activity has now increased to Rs 8.32 crore.