Bhadrak: The Udabali Island, located just 4km off Dhamara Port and synonymous with the Kanika royal dynasty, is still struggling for its identification, thanks to the neglect and apathy of officials concerned.
Udabali is one of the eight ‘Bali Deepas’ (sand islets) along the coast of Chandbali in this district, which came to the fore following a survey for marking the boundary line of Dhamra Port in 1931.
Spread over 500 hectares, the island is bestowed with natural beauty. Anyone would instantly fall in love with it after seeing the rippling waves of blue water touching the island. The natural beauty, however, has no mention in the Revenue Department’s records.
It is known as ‘Udabali’ Deepa among local people and fishing community as it is believed that the sand dune once created by sea water might have taken the shape of what it is today an island. Beyond this, there is not much information about when and who discovered it.
The islets on Chandbali coast have memories of British era. Tentulichadha Islet, not far from Dhamra mouth, was known as Wheeler Island during the British rule. One portion of it (Outer Wheeler Island) was named as APJ Abdul Kalam Island in 2016 after it was developed as an Integrated (missile) Test Range in 1994.
The other Islets adjoining APJ Abdul Kalam Island are Coconut Island (Nadia Bali Deepa), Small Wheeler Island (Sana Balli Chadha), Long Wheeler Island (Babu Bali Chadha), Batighar Bali (Shortt’s Island), Kanikabali, Budhiachara and Nayatapu.
While the portal of the archives mentions the changed name of Outer Wheeler Island as APJ Abdul Kalam Island, the portal still has the ancient names of four other adjoining Islands.
The one that was named as Wheeler Island has a legend. It was during 1922 -1927 when Sir Henry Wheeler was the Governor of Bihar and Odisha, the then King of Kanika Rajendra Narayan Bhanj Deo was a minister in the Government of Bihar and Odisha. Once Bhanj Deo and Sir Henry had a feast on this Island and to commemorate the occasion, the island was named after Sir Henry Wheeler. Similarly, Shortt’s Island is believed to have derived its name from a name of a ship’s captain.
“Despite having all the qualities of a tourist spot, the most enticing Udabali Island has still been languishing because of neglect and disregard. The island has a unique phenomenon: When tide comes, it submerges most part of the Island and when the tide ebbs, it returns to its own,” local people observed.
It’s time the island developed into a tourist spot. Had it been developed, it could have been one of the most favourite tourist destinations not just in the state but also in the country,” they added.
However, Dhamra Port has given a proposal for inclusion of Udabali Island in its peripheral development activities, company sources said.
PNN
