Baripada: The much-awaited Manchbandh ecotourism project under Baripada forest division in Mayurbhanj district has so far remained on paper as there is no headway in the project work due to lack of funds.
The tourism department however has aimed to finish the project within two years.
The ecotourism project aims to come up with a tranquil sylvan setting in which visitors will be ferried on bullock carts and boats through the Manchabandh Sal forest. The tourism department has undertaken the ecotourism project over 110 hectares of land under Baripada forest division in Mayurbhanj district.
Sources said a paltry sum of `5 lakh was provided in the first phase in the current year and the funds have been utilized fully. However, no further tranche of funds has been provided to carry forward the project, plunging the project into uncertainty.
Apart from boating and bullock cart transportation facilities, the department had toyed with the idea of building cottages in the midst of forests so that domestic and foreign tourists would be able to enjoy the experience of spending a night under the stars. A park for wild animals and birds was also on the cards.
According to sources in the department, the project was approved in 2012, but authorities had to halt the project after protests from locals.
The forest and environment department had then sanctioned `10 crore for the project, but only `45 lakh was made available for the first phase. Of that, `20.43 lakh was spent towards groundwork while the remaining money was returned to the government.
When project work was initiated, local youths had a lot of hopes for job opportunities, but their hopes remained unrealised.
Contacted, Baripada DFO Sanjay Kumar Swain said `5 lakh provided earlier has been spent. The work will be carried forward if more funds are provided by the government, he added, saying he has held talks with departmental officials in this regard. PNN
