Aiming for sustainable tourism development to capture the substance of ecotourism, community-based tourism, and the fundamentals of ecologically-sensitive areas of the Chilika lake in framing of relevant tourism projects, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) has decided to prepare a Master Plan for Chilika lake and its catchment.
leading professional organisation IPE Global has been roped in for the purpose through an international competitive bidding. The CDA and the Department of Tourism have joined hands to energise “Sustainable Tourism” objectives by preparing such a master plan, which will prepare grounds for ensuring planned development through the lake’s land use and Infrastructure plan.
CDA Chief Executive Ajit Patnaik has taken the lead for protection of the environment by promoting responsible tourism development activities compliant with the Coastal Zone Regulations (CZRs) and other environment laws.
This effort also covers the important role of Spatial Planning, which reflects and incorporates several perspectives of related disciplines. The projects would encourage PPP (public-private partnership) for investment purposes.
The projects would provide an integrated solution to the challenges facing the lake and its periphery as well as its catchment. The plan document would represent how all stakeholders could work together for achieving long-term visions for responsible, sustainable tourism.
The objectives for tourism promotion remain bringing socio-economic benefits to people, achieving sustainability, respecting regulations, involving private investment, and, strategising the unique cultural/eco/heritage tourism by integrating actions through State programmes and in a participatory manner.
The sustainable development approach to be adopted ensure that the natural, cultural and other resources of tourism are conserved for continuous use in future, while still bringing benefits to the present society.