Keonjhar: This mineral-rich district is endowed with a host of picturesque spots, but they have remained far away from the public view for lack of infrastructure development.
Experts opine that the state government should tap the latent tourism potential of these natural spots as development of tourism in these places promises its automatic ripple effect on income-generation and job opportunities for local people, particularly tribals, living in their peripheries.
Patugharghagi waterfall is one of such place. It is situated amid verdant lush forests girded by hills near Tenteinali, a tribal village, 14km from Telkoi block headquarters.
The marvelous natural settings marked by massive outcrops, clouds kissing the peaks of hills and the waterfall cascading down on a rocky floor are enough to draw nature lovers, tourists, environmentalists and trekkers to the place. The elevation of the waterfall is higher than Sanghagara, locals claim.
The place is home to the primitive Juanga tribe. Development of the spot as a tourist destination will provide earning opportunities for the tribals.
According to the local inhabitants, earlier the administration had decided to take up development of the spot after visiting it, but nothing has been done in this direction.
The tribals expressed their unhappiness over the administrative apathy towards development of place.
However, the spot remains largely inaccessible for visitors who have to cross two creeks and pass through the hilly terrain to reach the place.
Only local people and a few from outside come to the place for picnic during winter. But many do not risk visiting the place in the absence of safe and communicable routes.
“Owing to hilly terrain and unsafe routes, many do not prefer to visit the waterfall. Also, lack of basic facilities in the dense forest is doesn’t attract visitors.
What the spot now needs is a pucca road from the village and setting up of culverts across the two creeks. This much will facilitate footfall of tourists,” observed environmentalist Bimbadhar Behera.
He said the place holds a lot of tourism potential which can be tapped by the government.
“The map of the neglected Juanga village will see an automatic turnaround. Their economic condition will change. The district administration has initiated step, but they should be executed soon to usher in tourist inflow into the place,” the environmentalist noted. PNN
