Odisha to have year-round eco-cottage facilities soon

Odisha state government has started the process of setting round-the-year eco-cottages at selected destinations, following successful arrangement of world-class eco-retreat hubs in various places in the state.

As per a press release, the decision was taken after a high-level virtual meeting was held on eco-tourism under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra. The Chief Secretary stated that since the state has the calibre to run year-round eco-retreat activities, he had directed to develop, design, and maintain the cottages on PPP mode with credible private partners that have experience in the trade.
The meeting discussed the feasibility of setting up such facilities at Paradeep, Hirakud, Baliput (Satkosia), Dringibadi, Koraput, and Pati Sonapur. As per the reports, a pilot project will be carried out in two destinations, i.e., Baliput ( Satkosia) of Cuttack district and Hirakud of Sambalpur district. Principal Secretary Vishal Dev informed that around 6 ac of land has been identified at each of these two spots, whereas investment of around INR 6.25 crore has been estimated for these destinations for works like landscaping, land development, and setting up of sustainable and ecologically suitable cottages.

The Chief Secretary added that the government would provide all necessary support for setting up the cottages, whereas the private partner would be provided handholding support for availing different statutory permissions.
He also directed the departments of Water Resource, and Forest and Environment to identify other such destinations, and protect the Government land there for future development.