Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has come forward to focus on the boating facilities in different water bodies in the state. After a successful organization of the eco- retreat camps and eco-tourism facilities the state Government has turned its focus towards introducing boating facilities in 100 selective exotic places. The activity is going to start operating by the end of December 2021 as per the proposed plan. It will be as a stimulus for the tourism sector in the post covid time.
In a virtual meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary S.C. Mahapatra, it has been proposed to the Department of Forest and Environment, Water Resources and Tourism to fianlise a list of about 100 exotic water spots for initiating the boating facilities.It has been directed to prepare the final list in a month.
Chief Secretary has also directed to the officials to set up the floating jetts and boats in wuick sessions so that the activities should start by the end of December. The final locations for the activity should be identified according to parameter of their competitiveness for being popular in the tourism market.
As the state is confered with multiple water bodies and natural resourses such as lakes like Chilka, Ansupa, Pata and Kanjia and big rivers like Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Rusikulya, Bansadhara, Subarnarekha etc. Apart from that the state consists of 118 small and big dams including major dams like Hirakud,Mandia, Patora, Deras,Jhumka, Indrabati, Kolab etc. These are the places consisting of scope for initiating boating facilities.
The Chief Secretary states that proper choice of the location and their popularisation will attract certain private investors to the tourism sector which will take the sector to another level. He has firther directed to incorporate a community mangement model by providing propwr training and orientation to the local community, Van Surakhya Samiti and the Self Help Groups manage and operate the upcoming facilities.

-OdishaAge