Chhatrapur: Union ministry of tourism has sanctioned Rs 33 crore for beautification of Hummuri Tampara, famous as Tampara lake, on the outskirts of this town in Ganjam district.
The district administration received the funds through the state government while Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) would spend it for the facelift of the lake and its surroundings, it was learnt.
Collector Premchandra Choudhury Thursday held a meeting and chalked out plans for the development of the site. Chhatrapur sub-collector Sudhakar Shabar, BDA secretary Dipti Mohapatra, tehsildar Shubhendu Sahoo and tourism officer Sanatan Nayak attended the meeting.
The funds would be utilised on construction of eco cottages, restaurants, trekking, beach trekking, water sports, expansion of jetty and establishment of a water park, said the BDA secretary.
Sprawling across an area of over eight square km, Tampara lake is located at a place between National Highway-5 and sea beach. Though the lake has been accorded the status of a tourist destination, it has not drawn the required attention of the government and remained underdeveloped. This apart, a cashew and casuarinas forest at the other end of the lake is a major draw among the picnickers which can be developed to increase the tourist footfalls.
On the other hand, tourists are often allegedly exploited by private operators.
While there is no boating facility in place by the tourism department, a private firm has launched the facility and continues to charge exorbitant prices from the visitors. The agency has also encroached upon a government land to set up its restaurant, it was learnt.
When contacted, district tourism officer Sanatan Nayak said the tourism, minor irrigation or OTDC have nothing to do with this agency.
Earlier, OTDC had sanctioned Rs1.42 crore for the development of the lake in 2015 but the work has been delayed. The funds would be spent for installation of toilets and dustbins, water supply, digging of a deep bore well and construction of a jetty, sources said. PNN