Bhograi: Considering the tourism potential of Bichitrapur under this block in Balasore district, the state government had launched a project at the place, but its work remains incomplete for lack of departmental support.
Experts and locals feel that the project needs infrastructure development so as to exploit its full potential.
Locals said during the Talsari beach festival, tourism minister Ashok Panda and forest and environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh had promised to push ecotourism at Bichitrapur, but uncertainty looms over the implementation of the project.
According to reports, the Japan government had earlier conducted surveys at various places in the country, including Bichitrapur, to set up ecotourism projects.
After holding consultation with the Centre and the state tourism department, the Japan government had sanctioned Rs 58 lakh for the project in 2011-12 while the Centre had provided Rs 4 lakh.
The project area included Narayan Mohanty Padia, Krushnanagar, Badapahi and Khadibila. A management committee was formed with some people from these villages as members.
With cooperation and help from locals and the committee, funds were utilised in 15 months. Preliminary works for development of a jetty, a reception hall and excavation of a creek and dredging of Subarnarekha river mouth, development of a nursery and forest protection were undertaken. Two motorized light boats were also procured.
The first phase of work is over, but the project needs infrastructure development in the subsequent phase. As a sign of initial success, even tourists have started coming to the place.
Four staff for reception, two boat operators, two assistants, a peon and a guard have been appointed.
As per provision, 50 per cent of the earnings from the project will be spent for its development while the remaining amount will be spent towards salaries of the staff.
Now, tourists coming to nearby Udaypur, Talsari and Digha beaches also visit Bichitrapur.
Chandan Mangal, a staff of the reception, said Rs 25,000 to 30,000 is earned from the project every month.
“The current facilities are only meant for high-profile visitors. It is not affordable for common visitors,” alleged tourists like Rabindra Mohanty, Biswambar Das, Brajakishore Datta and Rajkumar Das.
Experts said Bhograi is endowed with a natural beach which spans 9 km while the project area can be expanded to over 100 acres.
They observed that the contiguous area of the project should be declared as a sanctuary which will have facility for cottages, crocodile enclosures, corridors for free movement of deer and fish ponds. Besides, mangroves should be developed to add to the beauty of the area. PNN
