Red terror in Koraput keeps tourists away

KORAPUT: Maoist activities have badly hit tourism in Koraput. The tribal-dominated district that has some picturesque spots with spiralling ghat roads, lofty hills and steep valleys with blind turns, is now feeling the pinch of the growing Maoist menace.
Duduma waterfalls; the vast heritage wealth of Subai and Nandpur; Deomali, the highest peak of Orissa ideal for aero-gliding and trekking; Maliguda, a small hill-top village where India's highest broad gauge is located and the weekly markets of Onkadeli are some of the hottest attractions of this district drawing domestic and overseas tourists alike.
But Maoist strikes that have rocked the district have reduced the tourist flow to a trickle. Similarly, places like the cave temple of Lord Shiva at Gupteswar and the Sabara Srikhetra at Koraput are also witnessing a decline in the inflow of tourists.
The cool summers, the misty winter mornings and the golden autumns of Koraput are no longer inviting. According to official figures, while a total of 1,290 foreign tourists visited the district in 2007, it increased to 2,152 in 2008. Till April 2009 only 641 foreign tourists visited the district.
Apart from the tourist spots, the weekly tribal markets would be a major draw. Foreign tourists lapped up the forest products and liquor sold by tribal women in these haats.
District tourism officer Sanyasi Pujari said, "Every year during summer, tour operators from Bhubaneswar and the neighbouring states would bring in foreign tourists into the district. But this year, there has been a sharp decline in the arrivals since March. Tourists have stopped staying in places like Gupteswar, Sunabeda and other temporary camps at night for fear of attacks."
However, Pujari said the department is making arrangements to ensure the safety of tourists. "As a precautionary measure, we have communicated to various tour operators to contact the local tourist office at Koraput before visiting any Maoist-dominated place. Koraput has been a fovourite tourist destination and we hope things will soon improve."