Bhubaneswar, July 9: With eco-tourism of Odisha emerging as a best practice, the Government has brought to focus the boating facilities in different water tracks of the State as a fillip to the sector in post-Covid days. 

This was discussed in a high-level meeting held on digital mode under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra from Lokseba Bhawan today afternoon wherein Principal Secretary Tourism Vishal Kumar Dev outlined the boating prospects and associated matters for discussion.

Considering the boating and water sports potential of the State, the Chief Secretary directed the departments of Forest & Environment, Water Resources and Tourism to identify around 100 spots through joint verification for starting the boating facilities. The departments were asked to finalize the list in a month. Mahapatra also directed to set the floating jetties and boats in quick sessions, and, the activities should start by December of the current year.

 Further, the Chief Secretary made it clear that the locations should be identified on the basis of the objective criteria of their competitiveness for being popularized in the tourism market, and, offering exotic experiences to the tourists. Mahapatra said, “Proper choice of the location and their popularization will attract private investment to the sector soon, and, that will take State’s eco-tourism to next higher level”. Chief Secretary also directed to put in place proper safety measures in boats and boating spots. He directed to adopt a community management model with appropriate training and orientation to the local community, VSS and WSHG groups for operation and management of the facilities. 

 Available data show,  Odisha has around 118 small and big dams including the major dams like Hirakud, Mandira, Patora, Deras, Hadgarh, Pitamahal, Jumuka, Indrabati, Kolab, Kunaria, Sarafgarh, Godhahada, Kanjhari and Sarbgarh etc. Similarly, the State is bestowed with natural lakes like Chilika, Ansupa, Pata, Kanjia, Hiarkud.

There are around ten major river basins namely Mahanadi, Bramhani, Baitarani, Rusikulya, Bansadhara, Nagabali, Kolab, Indravati, Subranarekha and Budhabalanga. Besides, there are many river confluences among these rivers and their tributaries. These places offer scores of sites for boating activities.