Ever since the reopening of all tourist destinations in October, more than six months after they were closed due to the pandemic, there has been a surge in the number of vacationers in Odisha. The last few weeks have seen people, who were cooped-up for several months, travelling to domestic scenic locations to unwind and have fun. Significantly, the remote getaways like Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary of Sambalpur and Sapua Dam Project of Dhenkanal are much in demand than those of the popular tourist destinations. With the onset of winter, here is what some avid travelers tell Sunday POST on their experience during the pre-and-post lockdown situation.
Prashant Choudhury, a member of Wildies Conservation and Research Forum, says “After a long gap, three members of our forum including me visited Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Sambalpur for three days. Earlier, I had visited the picturesque sanctuary on several occasions as it is an absolute delight for wildlife enthusiasts like me. But my trip to the sanctuary this time was worth remembering.”
Asked how his latest trip is different from the previous ones, he recalls, “We visited the sanctuary in November, 2019 when the sanctuary was brimming with activities. Earlier, we used to have sight-seeing from a distance. Before the lockdown, animals were hardly in sight due to human presence in large numbers. But this time, we could see animals like Indian Gaurs and leopards roaming on the patrol route. Those were amazing sights for enthusiasts like us.”
Choudhury goes on to add, “Thanks to the lockdown, we closely observed activities of a 10-member bison family from a distance of mere 12 ft. We minutely observed how they are living together. Indian gaur can be termed as the flagship species of the sanctuary which is why nature lovers from different countries do not miss a chance to visit Debrigarh to watch bison closely. We were there for 45 minutes and we made a documentation on them which was not possible in a pre-lockdown scenario. In our previous visits, we never had such an opportunity to document bisons’ movement since the place was crowded. Moreover, they are now friendlier towards human beings. We also witnessed pugmarks of leopards but could not trace them. Besides, we had the opportunity to see migratory birds in large numbers. We also carried hand sanitisers, a box of sanitising wipes and face masks among other essentials as part of measures taken to keep coronavirus at bay.”
Anwesa Misra, a Bhubaneswar-based business analyst, is of the opinion that she missed the excitement and enchantment of travelling that she used to have before the lockdown was imposed. “This lockdown has made life so boring that I desperately needed a break. Being a passionate traveler, I did not say no to visit Puri beach to celebrate my niece’s birthday. Despite the looming threat of Covid, we did not abort our Puri trip. We were scared to be at public places but there was not much gathering there and every one had put on face masks. It was a big relief to see sanitiser stands and thermal guns at public places. We were also not allowed on the beach without face masks.”
Anwesa even found the surroundings of Srimandir deserted which was, given the popularity of the temple, quite surprising. But she liked the ‘new normal’ experience.
“All the restaurants made face masks mandatory for their customers while auto-rickshaws are engaged to keep the beach free from garbage. That apart, local shopkeepers and hawkers are no longer allowed on the beach. Though the Holy City is gradually limping back to normalcy, I missed the amount of amusement which we used to have while visiting Puri beach with my siblings in the past.”
Wildlife photographer Subhendu Bhattacharya who is also a naturalist and conservationist, feels “I had a great time at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary during my recent visit. With less number of tourists visiting the destination, it is now sparsely clad with greenery which is a good sign. Apart from documenting on Indian gaurs, we explored a fishermen’s hamlet after trekking 20 kilometre and spent a few hours with the village kids. Though I had been to the sanctuary earlier, I missed this village which is popular for producing dry fish by roasting them instead of drying them in the sun. The journey was a quiet affair with less human interference. Besides, I visited Bhitarkanika National Park during the pandemic where I could see a few leopard cats also.”
Soumya Mishra, an avid traveler, could not wait to be in Puri after relaxation in travel guidelines. “A family outing was always on the cards as the pandemic had flattened all the excitement and energy. We were stuck at home like everyone and life had come to a standstill. So, the trip was like getting a fresh lease of life. I found many people wearing face masks and following the pandemic guidelines. There were some aberrations also.”
Asked about her experience of travelling during pre and post, she says, “It was quite different. I used to have lots of fun on Puri beach before the lockdown. Things are not the same now. The hawkers are no longer visible on the beach. You cannot have the delight of eating street food which is one of the major attractions of Puri beach. With a mask on your face, you cannot enjoy a sea bath. Going by the saying ‘whatever happens, happens for the best, we should accept the new normal in the travel industry and be optimistic.”
Mohammad Imran Ali, a drug de-addiction activist, has recently visited Sapua Dam Project in Dhenkanal. “My happiness knew no bounds when my friends and I decided to go for a picnic. After being confined to our homes for so many months, I got a chance to relive pre-pandemic days. Needless to say, I missed the enjoyment that I used to have. Earlier, we loved to go on a picnic with as many people we want which are not the case now. Due to pandemic restrictions, you are allowed to visit a place with limited members in your group. As there was no crowd at Sapua dam, the place was far cleaner than earlier. That apart, I felt glad to see people wearing masks and maintaining social distance. However, I felt disheartened to see liquor bottles at the tourist site.”
Official guidelines
Rashmi Sonia Tirkey, manager of India Tourism in Bhubaneswar, says, “Though government has unlocked quite a few tourist destinations with an aim to create employment opportunities, picnickers should be kept in small groups, preferably family members. Visitors are asked to drop the travel plan if any of them feel sick. Ailing people should not risk others’ lives by joining them. Besides, picnickers should ideally prefer day visits rather than night stay
Rashmi Rekha Das, OP
