Dikhyaa Mohanty 
After the post lockdown situation, the eco-retreat has paced up quite well in terms of the business. By watching the results, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra has directed the Departments of Tourism, Forest and Environment, and Water Resources to detect other more locations for intensifying nature tourism activities in Odisha.
The results from eco-retreat interventions in the post lockdown scenario are quite impressive, due to which Mahapatra directed the collectors to find out more locations that can be set up for the year-round eco-retreat sites, nature camps, day destinations, river cruise, boating, jungle safari, and wildlife sighting-seeking. The determination of the appropriate site for nature tourism is very essential for taking it to the next level.
Vishal Dev, the Principal Secretary Tourism Vishal Dev along with the Chairman & Managing Director IDCO Sanjay Kumar Singh was directed to classify locations and also to estimate their potential for advancement to year-round tourist destinations.
As per the report during the meeting, the details of the proposals regarding computing up the above activities were discussed. And the places are- Talasari, Konark, Satpada, Chandipur, Debrigarh, Bhitarkanita, Similipal, Daringibadi, Astarang, Satkosia gorge, Tikarpada, Hirakud, Chilika, and Nalabana.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra also directed to differentiate tourism zones in forest areas, list out the dams, the river stretches, and water bodies having good potential for boating, water boats, cruises, and placement of houseboats.
Even the classification of appropriate locations near main tourist destinations for the expansion of tourist stay and service projects sites by IDCO was also directed to the collectors.
Principal Secretary Water Resources Anu Garg, Chief Executive Officer Chilika Development Authority Susanta Kumar Nanda, Director Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Jadav, Collector Puri Samarth Verma, and senior officials were also present at the meeting.
Image Source – Google
