Joy Roy Choudhury – Kolkata
In a major development, a master plan to boost tourism in and around the Chilika Lake in Odisha is on the anvil. Ashok Chandra Panda, minister of tourism and culture, Government of Odisha informed Express TravelWorld, “The tourism master plan for the Chilika Lake and its catchment area is being prepared under the Central Government’s ‘Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project’, funded by World Bank and would be submitted to the state government soon.” The objective of this is to prepare a regional tourism plan for the Chilika Lagoon and the catchment area with an aim to not only promote tourism including ecotourism and community-based tourism but also focus equally on conservation and use of natural resources and in compliance with environmental/ ecological laws and regulations. It will also identify project profiles for tourism investment opportunities, which would be promoted by the state government including as PPP projects.
“The master plan will outline a roadmap so as to make the stay in the lake area more exciting for tourists for whom the major attraction till now has been boating. Now, adventure and water sports like water skiing, wind surfing, sailing, trekking and other activities might be added to the itinerary of tourists coming to the lake, so that they stay there longer,” he informed, adding that, “We already have several tourist destinations in and around the Chilika like Rambha, Satpada, Barkul and the master plan will work through the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in coordination with other state government departments and agencies, so that the fishing communities around the lake will also benefit.”
Meanwhile, IFC (International Finance Corporation) Advisory Services has entered into a partnership with the state government for implementing private sector development which includes developing and promoting opportunities for private sector investments in tourism facilities and services in and around Chilika. The focus would be on sustainability, the concept revolves around enhancing tourism potential of the area, utilisation of local materials, engagement of local population in hospitality and tourism products/solutions, and rediscovering the local art and culture, thereby creating a range of business opportunities for the private sector.