Dhenkanal: Hundreds of tourists, picnickers from far-flung areas of the state and outside have started thronging Saptasajya, a popular tourist hub in Dhenkanal district for offbeat genre crowd who want to relax and move away from busy life.
A relatively small protected forest reserve, Saptasajya, conglomeration of seven hills with rich vegetation, is a mixed deciduous forest dominated by the Sal tree. It got officially recognised as a sanctuary in 1970. The fauna mainly consists of wild goats, buffaloes, cows, leopard and a variety of birds.
As cold waves have started gripping the state, Saptasajya has become one of the first choice for picnickers and visitors. The reserve forest boasts of rich flora and fauna and is a good retreat from busy urban life. Visitors are thronging the natural site to enjoy its picturesque and cold weather for feasts and picnics.
Even as New Year is a few days ahead, visitors from all over the state and outside have started coming to the spot to enjoy the verdant jungle, scenic hills, cool breeze, green lustrous forest cover, running streams and to sigh wild animals and birds.
Apart from the natural environment of the place, there are many old temples that attract visitors attention. There is one particular Raghunath temple complex with main deity being Rama that attracts tourists and locals alike.
Inside the temple complex Annapurna temple was constructed in 1982, the 1st floor Kali temple in 1985 and the Surya Narayan temple in 1990. The temples of Rameswaram Shiva, Ganesha, Mahavir, and the Navagraha temple with one room for each graha are also present. Mahakali, Mata Saraswati, Sri Nrushingha temple are conceived to be built in the holy complex.
The entire hill range spread over an area of 2096.75 hectare with an altitude from 300 metres to 586 metres from the sea level, the biodiversity is further enhanced with a medicinal garden that has a variety of herbal plants.
However, locals alleged that a little renovation and addition of more scenic accommodations like proper road, drinking water facilities, night stay facilities and direct bus services would add to the number of tourist flow.
Locals alleged forest officials of not paying proper heed to Saptasajya Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Saptasajya Reserve Forest. Earlier, a whopping amount of Rs 40 lakh was spent for rest houses, toilets, drinking water facilities and other minor developments.
However, the developmental works are still pending incomplete. Some tourists expressed resentment for lack of toilets for ladies.
When contacted, sarpanch Jeses Sahu said the villagers were trying to take the place as tourist friendly. All development works were being taken care of. However, due to lack of funds some works have remained incomplete and would be completed soon.
PNN
