Post News Network
Jagatsinghpur, Dec 14: With the tourist season here, the state government has decided to accord eco-tourism complex status to Dhalatangagad forest in Jagatsinghpur district and develop it for the benefit of tourists and picnickers.
This was stated by divisional forest officer (DFO) Sudarshan Behera of Cuttack division here Saturday. The state forest department besides developing it into an eco-tourism complex will also construct a children’s park for recreation of the children, Behera said.
The decision was taken in view of the rich tourism potential of the forest. Drinking water facilities will be provided, power supply will be ensured and chairs will be provided to 50 tourists at any point in time. The tourists can only visit the forest during daytime and will not be allowed to stay there during night, Behera added.
Dhalatangagad, the only natural forest in Jagatsinghpur district, is also a rich source of life supporting oxygen in the whole region. The forest is spread over 279.03 acres of land and villages like Eradanga, Purunabasant, Balansha, Deulisahi, Ramchandrapur, Pandra, Brahmanbadi and Mundala in Raghunathpur block lie in its surroundings.
Legend has it that Dhruba, son of King Uttanapada sat here meditating Lord Vishnu whose evidence is borne by a temple known as the ‘Dhruba Tapasya Sthali’ at Dhaulikuda inside the forest.
The forest also has three other temples of Gopinath, Jagannath and Banadurga besides the tomb of eight ancient sages which is a must see for any visiting tourist.
The forest is also a rich source of flora and fauna and has scores of deer among its animal population. Visits of tourists go round all through the year excepting for rainy season. But their arrival is mainly witnessed from the month of November till February.
Lack of proper drinking water facilities troubles the tourists inside the forest. While there is one tube-well in the forest beat house the other one is at the Dhruba temple at Dhaulikuda. Picnickers mainly depend on these two tube-wells to prepare food during picnic.
Environmentalist Trilochan Mallick, while welcoming the decision, demanded deployment of security guards inside the forest to ensure safety of tourists. Social activist Santosh Kumar Pradhan demanded construction of toilets and putting up signage and dustbins inside the forest for the benefit of picnickers and tourists.
