Koraput: In a decisive action against land encroachment, the Koraput administration has demolished an illegal eco-retreat that had come up at Talamali, a major tourist attraction in Semiliguda block, officials said Friday.
Revenue officials and police personnel jointly carried out the enforcement drive. Around 70 cottages spread across nearly 30 acres of government land were dismantled.
The structures, operating under the banner ‘Go Koraput Eco Retreat’, had been set up without any official approval.
Located close to Deomali, Odisha’s highest peak, Talamali draws hundreds of visitors every week, and the unauthorised resort had begun restricting access to regular tourists.
A group of businessmen from Semiliguda had erected the cottages about a month ago.
Authorities found multiple violations, including unauthorised digging, dumping of waste, use of heavy construction materials, and poorly built sanitation units—activities that threatened the fragile forest environment.
Following repeated complaints from locals and public representatives, the district administration ordered an inquiry led by Koraput Sub-Collector Premlal Hial.
