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ODISHA
ODISHA UNRAVELLED 1
UNRAVELLED
April 2021 A Newsletter by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha
Heritage Best Future ARRIBADA in
Takes Centre Stage Forward State Eastern Coast
Page : 10 Page : 12 Page : 16
2 ODISHA UNRAVELLED
PURPLE HERON, MANGALAJODI, CHILIKA
Picture Credit : Manoj Das
EDITORIAL ODISHA
TEAM UNRAVELLED
A Newsletter by Department of Tourism,
Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS Government of Odisha
Principal Secretary to Government
Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS
Director & Additional Secretary to Government
Content and Design
Project Mangement Unit
ODISHA UNRAVELLED 3
FOREWORD
JYOTI PRAKASH PANIGRAHI
Minister of State (IC) for Tourism and
Odia Language, Literature & Culture
O
disha has set ing and skill development
an example for along with regulation of
other states by trade related to tourism is
showing its re- imperative for the sector’s
silience in face of adversity. growth and hence, we are
Setting precedents in good taking strategic steps to-
governance, Odisha govern- wards achieving the pro-
ment has managed to bring posed goal.
about a positive change in From developing Odis-
people’s lives. This is evident ha tourism for greater re-
through the proactive steps silience against disruptive
taken to ensure revival of events such as cyclones
the Tourism sector during and pandemics to ensur-
the pandemic. ing responsible design of
With an aim to bring the new tourism products, we
benef its of tourism to the are committed to preserve,
hinterlands of Odisha, we empower and promote all
are developing the hospi- aspects of the sector while
tality inf rastructure in iden- making it socially and eco-
tif ied destinations. Train- nomically sustainable.
4 ODISHA UNRAVELLED
MESSAGE
ASIT KUMAR TRIPATHY, IAS
Chairman, Western Odisha Development Council (WODC)
and Principal Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister
I
t’s true the pandemic tion. Despite the pandemic,
delivered a huge blow to we have already started ex-
the tourism sector but ecuting the master plan of
it also strengthened our developing the Puri-Konark
vision of developing Odisha’s and Talsari-Udaypur Beach-
tourism and hospitality inf ra- f ronts on a priority mode.
structure that’ll not only have Besides, Odisha is taking
greater resilience against focused strides to develop
such disruptive events but the hospitality sector and en-
also empower the populace rich the experience of tour-
with sustainable livelihood. ists through scheme-based
In this regard, we are plan- interventions like introduc-
ning to boost private sector tion of cruises and house-
investments for developing boats, heritage properties,
tourism in the state. Our fo- homestays and upgradation
cus is on integrated master of existing traditional boats
planning and development for tourists.
of priority destinations to en- From conservation of her-
able creation of niche tour- itage, natural environment
ism and hospitality products and rich wilderness to cre-
through private sector in- ation of innovative and sus-
vestments. tainable tourism products,
This is part of our vision we are on a mission to es-
towards making Odisha a tablish Odisha as a hub of di-
sought-after beach destina- verse tourism offerings.
ODISHA UNRAVELLED 5
EDITOR’S
NOTE
VISHAL DEV, IAS
Prinicipal Secretary, Tourism,
Sports & Youth Services
R
ecognised as one The state’s emerging brand
of the best States value as a champion of re-
in handling the sponsible tourism was also
pandemic, Odis- strengthened by winning
ha started the year 2021 on the Silver Award for ‘Best Fu-
the right note. Every event ture Forward State’ at the 6th
scheduled as per the State’s Outlook India Responsible
Tourism calendar was suc- Tourism Awards, which was
cessfully organised with organised for the f irst time
strict adherence to Covid-19 outside the National Capital
guidelines. of Delhi, at Eco Retreat Odis-
Paving the way for reviv- ha in Konark.
al of tourism sector in the Thanks to the commitment
State, Odisha Tourism’s flag- and passion of the people in-
ship glamping event ‘Eco Re- volved in revival of the sector,
treat’ 2020-21 which was held our state’s contribution to
across f ive diverse locations, promoting responsible tour-
viz. Bhitarkanika, Daringba- ism is now well-established.
di, Hirakud, Konark and Sat- On behalf of Odisha Tour-
kosia, concluded successfully ism, I invite all our readers to
with an overall occupancy of come and explore Odisha, In-
50.31%. dia’s best kept secret.
6 ODISHA UNRAVELLED
FOR THOSE WHO MISSED
THE ULTIMATE GLAMPING GETAWAY
A
fter garnering a surge of popularity with rakud, Konark and Satkosia. Starting f rom 9th
its debut as Marine Drive Eco Retreat December, 2020, the glamp camps attracted
in 2019-2020, Odisha Tourism’s flagship travel-bugs f rom across India, who packed their
three-month glamping festival – Eco Retreat bags for a much-needed break. The event con-
Odisha – was back in 2020-2021, this time mul- cluded on 8th March in Konark while the other
tiplied by five! Backed by the state’s stellar re- four locations closed the curtains on 28th Feb-
cord in COVID management, Odisha Tourism ruary, 2021. Despite the pandemic, the event
set up the Eco Retreats at five unique locations witnessed an overall occupancy of over 50.31%,
with a view to offer tourists the best of Odisha’s thanks to the synergised application of SOPs
diverse environs – Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Hi- and technology for added safety of tourists.
FROM THE MEMORY MAKERS
H ad a great stay at Eco Retreat. Lovely place,
good vibe, perfect weekend getaway. Lovely
service, very friendly, the food is good. We had a
Iwent on a trek with my friends and then saw Jupi-
ter and Saturn through stargazing. This place is just
beautiful. The air is so nice and pollution-free. You
great time. We’re definitely coming back again. should plan your next trip to this place very soon.
PALLAVI & LAVANYA (KONARK) PRAMITA (SATKOSIA)
T he stay in the tents is very nice and all the amen-
ities provided are very good. The food here was
quite delicious. We went to see the Hirakud Dam
W e like how Eco-retreat is promoting places in
Odisha which are underrated and not very
popular. We pay a lot to go outside the state to visit
and when we came back in the evening a nice cul- similar places which we already have here in Odi-
tural programme was organised. This place is ac- sha. This is a must-have experience, and everyone
tually a hidden treasure. should come here.
ABHIJEET & ROSALIN (HIRAKUD) ALICE, VIDYASHA AND HANSIKA (DARINGBADI)
ODISHA UNRAVELLED 7
RIDING A NEW WAVE OF
BEACH TOURISM
B
lessed with 482 km coastline, Odisha able landscaped promenade along the 2.4
has been taking rapid strides in es- km long stretch which includes intermittent
tablishing the State as a prime hub kiosks, rain shelters, seating islands, restau-
of beach tourism. Envisaging development rants, jogging tracks, viewing decks, along
of beach destinations, integrated tourism with beach infrastructure such as public
master plans including the Chandrabhaga amenities like a parking zone, toilets, shower
Beachfront Plan at Konark and Talsari-Uday- panels, drinking water, etc.
pur Beachfront Promenade Plan at Balaso- With a view to internationalising its of-
re were recently approved by Hon’ble Chief ferings, Odisha Tourism has also prioritised
Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik. the operationalisation of beach shacks at
The Puri-Konark Beachfront masterplan various beachf ronts offering tourists gas-
envisages holistic and inclusive develop- tronomic experiences commensurate with
ment of a kilometre long stretch at Chan- beach leisure. Safety and security have been
drabhaga beach into a day tourism destina- incorporated, with lifeguard teams and safe-
tion through Water sports, recreation zones, ty monitoring systems.
promenades and bicycle tracks, retail zones, Apart from the integrated master plan-
public engagement facilities such as open ning of beach destinations, Odisha has been
air theatres, kids’ play area, sunrise viewing scaling leaps and bounds in upgrading oth-
decks, adventure sports, etc. The stretch er beaches of the State following the Blue
will be beautified through native landscap- Flag certification by FEE Denmark of Puri’s
ing and in adherence to good practices in Golden Beach as one among eight certified
sustainability, such as dune protection and beaches in India. Department of Tourism
stabilisation, solar lighting, modern waste has identified five beaches to be upgraded
management systems and community par- for the coveted certification, viz. Pir Jahania,
ticipation. Niladri and Muhan Beaches in Puri District
Balasore’s Talsari-Udaypur Beachf ront, and Haripur and Pati Sonapur Beaches in
envisions an aesthetically designed sustain- Ganjam District.
8 ODISHA UNRAVELLED
TAMPARA LAKE
UNDERGOES FACELIFT
The development of Tampara Lakefront Project was jointly executed by the Ministry
of Tourism, Government of India and Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha
I
n a bid to showcase Odisha as a vibrant tour- been sanctioned out of which INR 21.78 crore
ism hub of global standards, Tampara Lake- has been utilised as part of the Phase I develop-
front Project, developed under the Swadesh ment with INR 4.8 crore earmarked for Phase II
Dashan Scheme of Union Ministry of Tour- development.
ism, was recently inaugurated by Union Minis- Facilities like, public convenience & tourist re-
ter of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri ception, pavement area, parking, food court,
Dharmendra Pradhan. Union Minister of State watch tower, street furniture, gazebo, and open-
for Tourism and Culture (I/C) Shri Prahlad Singh air theatre among others have been created
Patel addressed the gathering through a virtual along with procurement of water sports equip-
message. ment like kayaks, banana boats, Jet skis etc., as
This development is part of the Integrated De- part of the Phase I development of the project.
velopment of Coastal Circuit under the Swadesh To further enrich the tourist experience, Phase
Darshan Scheme for which INR 73.48 crore had II of the development will include an eco-resort,
been sanctioned for destination development of a scenic pathway/boardwalk to the beach, lake
Gopalpur, Tampara, Satapada and Barkul which side promenade and other tourist amenities.
includes INR 2.67 crore as State share. Of the Shri Subhash Chandra Behera – Hon’ble MLA,
sanctioned amount, INR 52.96 crore has been Chatrapur, Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS – Principal
released by GOI. 81% of the released funds have Secretary, Tourism, Shri Vijay Amrut Kulange, IAS
already been utilised for development of these – District Collector, Ganjam, Shri Keerthi Vasan V,
four destinations till date. IAS – Sub-Collector, Berhampur and Smt. Anjana
For the development of Tampara, under the Panda – Commissioner, Berhampur Municipal
Integrated Development of Beach Circuit of Corporation were other dignitaries gracing the oc-
Swadesh Darshan Scheme, INR 26.58 crore had casion.
ODISHA UNRAVELLED 9
A RECREATIONAL
APPROACH TO ODISHA’S
WATERBODIE
Cruise Tourism to drop anchor at Odisha’s resplendent water bodies
through operationalisation of catamarans
O
disha is blessed with an abundance in phases to add an additional floating jetty in
of rivers and lakes and there’s more to due course. OTDC is now welcoming applica-
these waters than drinking it. With a tions from various operators to operate Jet Ski,
view to boost tourism offerings in these water- Speed Boat and Day Cruises.
bodies, Department of Tourism has identified Efforts are also being made to promote
key destinations to turn it into a hub of recrea- cruise tourism over multiple waterbodies. In
tional activities. this regard, the State Govt. had procured Cata-
To promote water-based recreation in river marans in 2014 under Integrated Coastal Zone
Mahanadi, Odisha Tourism through Odisha Management (ICZM) for using them in select-
Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has ed water bodies of state for tourism and recre-
upgraded the existing infrastructure at the ation purpose. Department of Tourism intends
Silver City Boat Club, Cuttack which had been to give four of these catamarans to private op-
adversely impacted during Cyclone Fani. The erators for day and overnight cruise operation-
new boat club includes a floating Jetty, Book- alisation on lease basis.
ing Counter and complex for lifeguards, toilet Besides, a scheme has also been drafted to
complex, a restaurant & bar, adequate park- upgrade traditional wooden tourist boats to IR
ing space and a park with children’s play area. Class compliant FRP boats. In the first phase,
The infrastructure will be further augmented the scheme will be targeted at Chilika Lake.
10 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
BOOSTING To meet the expectations of premium
TOURISM WITH tourists visiting the State, high-end
hospitality properties are being developed.
PREMIUM Driving this segment of luxury tourism will
be the three new star category hotels in
HOSPITALITY
capital city Bhubaneswar.
RECENTLY INAUGURATED TO BE INAUGURATED
Complementing the DN Regalia Mall in Two 5-star hotels - Welcom Hotel by ITC
Patrapada, 5-Star Hotel - VIVANTA by Taj and Lemon Tree Premier are set to be
Hotels was recently inaugurated by Hon’ble launched in Dumduma and Maitre Vihar
Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik on 17 respectively.
February 2021.ODISHA UNRAVELLED 11
ODISHA’S ARTS AND CULTURE
GAIN NATIONAL LIMELIGHT
PADMA SHRI SUDARSHAN SAHOO
RECEIVES PADMA VIBHUSHAN
The prestigious Padma awards were conferred
on six Odias this year. While five among them
were honoured with the Padma Shri, the 1988
Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Sahoo received
the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest
civilian award for his contribution to the field of
Art, especially the Shilpa Shastra – an ancient
science of sculpture. The 86-year old has been
actively involved in promotion of Odia culture
and has founded the Sudarshan Crafts Museum
in Puri and the Sudarshan Arts and Crafts Village
in Bhubaneswar
THREE ODIA FILMMAKERS BAGGED THREE NATIONAL
HONOURS AT THE 67TH NATIONAL FILM AWARDS.
Ace filmmakers Sabyasachi Mohapatra’s ‘Sala Budhar Badla’ and Nilamadhab Panda’s ‘Kalira Atita’
won a National Award each for Best Odia Film.
Puri-based filmmaker Ashutosh
Pattnaik’s won National Award in
Best Arts and Culture Film under
the non-feature film category for
‘Srikshetra Ru Sahijata’.12 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
NEW DAWN FOR
ODISHA’S TOURISM &
HOSPITALITY SECTOR
SACHIN RAMCHANDRA JADHAV
Director Tourism
T
he last couple of years witnessed a quantum shift in Odisha’s tourism and hospitality sector. De-
partment of Tourism has made rapid strides for its development. What has helped the State in
various ways is the passionate and persistent execution of plans by the stakeholders working for
the industry. The focus now is to introduce travellers to India’s Best Kept Secret; the less known
and the unsung legends, stories of the ethnic communities, destination beneath the maps, the culinary
uniqueness and the warmth of the people here.
One-third of the topography of this coastal state is under forest cover. With a national park, two tiger
reserves, several wildlife sanctuaries, diverse landscapes, magnificent monuments and vivid culture, Od-
isha presents an untapped reservoir of niche tourism experiences. To further the State’s experiential tour-
ism offerings to discerning travellers, the department has brought in key interventions:
Blue Flag Certification for 5 beach stretches Boosting Ecotourism through sustainable de-
Post the Blue Flag certification of Golden Beach velopment
in Puri by FEE Denmark as one among cleanest Looking at the surge in demand for offbeat ex-
eight beaches in India, the beach stretches of Pir periences by tourists for birding, wildlife safari
Jahania, Niladri and Muhan in Puri and Haripur and trekking at ecotourism destinations, work is
and Pati Sonapur in Ganjam districts are being underway to double the room capacity of the ex-
developed. These clean-drive transformations isting nature camps and creation of eco-friend-
will establish Odisha as a sought-after beach ly structures like eco-cottages to facilitate night
destination of India. stays.
Luxury Glamping Hosting events and festivals
Despite successive challenges posed due to Cy- Strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols
clone Fani and COVID-19 pandemic, strict adher- not only ensured events and festivals scheduled
ence to COVID-19 guidelines and SOPs released as per the events calendar to be successfully con-
by the State Government helped garner tremen- ducted but also set precedent for other states
dous footfall to Eco-Retreat 2020-21. Gauging the for revival of tourism sector. By organising The
overwhelming response received, the depart- Konark Festival 2020 and International Sand Art
ment decided to host the upcoming edition in Festival, Odisha was the first state in the coun-
six unique locations of the State. try to start hosting events and reopen its borderODISHA UNRAVELLED 13
for tourism. Resilience in face of adversity has Scheme-based Interventions
shaped the collective conscience of the people to In order to boost the hospitality sector while
come together and work as a united front. This equally ensuring livelihood development of the
also bolstered the travel community’s faith in us local community, the Govt. is all set to introduce
while opening avenues to add more events. We the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme.
are actively working towards introducing events Through this scheme, the department envisages
driven by different seasons to establish Odisha as creation of immersive tourism for travellers who
year-round travel destination with niche experi- look for unique cultural experiences in hospitality,
ences. cuisine and other local ways of life while dwelling
in local family homes. Besides, keeping in view
Promoting Odia Cuisine the safety of tourists as well as operators and to
As part of the State’s culinary tourism offerings, ensure constant source of livelihood, the proposal
the department will be introducing Nimantran for introduction of a special Scheme for upgrada-
- a chain of fine-dine restaurants in various dis- tion of Traditional/Wooden Tourist carrying boats
tricts with tourism potential. Managed and run to that of FRP boats at Chilika has been approved
by OTDC, these restaurants will serve an eclectic by Hon’ble Chief Minister. Apart from this, the de-
range of authentic Odia cuisine. In the first phase, partment is also exploring ways to develop and
Nimantran will be launched in Bhubaneswar, popularise Heritage Hotels of the State.
Puri and Sambalpur this year.
Besides the above, numerous initiatives are being
Introduction of Cruise Tourism aggressively taken up to revive tourism and hos-
A new wave of recreational facilities will be intro- pitality sector and make it resilient to disruptive
duced in various waterbodies and wetlands of trends. While the vision is to establish Odisha as
the State. Four catamarans will be upgraded to a tourism hub rivalling global standards, the mis-
offer Day and over-night luxury cruise experienc- sion to make the sector future-proof is being ac-
es this year. tively pursued.14 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
LOCAL ART FINDS PLATFORM
AT WEEKLY NIGHT BAZAAR
Handmade in Odisha-a Saturday Night Haat for Artists at Niladri Beach, Puri
D
espite being hit hard by the COVID-19 made products. The event will be restarted
pandemic, the tourism sector is showing again with strict adherence to Covid-19
signs of revival, thanks to the committed protocols,” said event organizer Mr. Yugabrata
efforts of the people and organisations involved Kar. The bazaar also engages artists who
in the sector. Aimed at assisting the artists’ perform traditional dance and music, thus
community, Odisha Eco Tourism Foundation, a glorifying the ambience of the beach stretch.
unit of Heritage Tours, Puri, in association with Beach vendors such as photographers, tea
Puri District Administration and NGO Prabhav sellers, local snack sellers and foot masseurs
organized a “Saturday Night Artist’s Bazaar” also extend their services at the bazaar.
on 20 March 2021 from 5pm to 11 pm at Niladri With a view to promote the rich art and culture
Beach in Puri with plans to make it a weekly affair. of Odisha, the foundation aims to make this
“The event engages local artists through a weekly market a regular event. Further, plans
dedicated weekly platform where they can are in place to take this initiative online where
showcase and sell their handicrafts to the local artists can list themselves and share their
visitors and encourage them to buy locally art with the global audience.ODISHA UNRAVELLED 15
LOOK WHO VISITED
Hon’ble President of India Shri. Ram Nath Kovind
accompanied by First Lady Smt. Savita Kovind visited
Odisha on a three-day tour. Hon’ble Governor Shri.
Ganeshi Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Naveen
Patnaik, Hon’ble Union Ministers Shri. Dharmendra
Pradhan and Shri. Pratap Chandra Sarangi along
with other senior officials received Hon’ble President
and First Lady on their arrival.
He attended the 18th annual convocation of
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela and
inaugurated a Super Specialty Hospital at Rourkela
Steel Plant. On his second day, he visited Jagannath
Temple in Puri to offer his prayers to the holy trinity
and also visited the iconic Sun Temple at Konark.
H.E. French Ambassador to India, Mr. Emmanuel
Lenain, led the French delegation to Odisha and held
discussions with Odisha Govt. officials on bilateral
trade, economic cooperation and investment
opportunity in the State. His four-day visit entailed
visits to CITIIS project locations which included
heritage sites like Debi Padahara and Ganga Jamuna
tanks, the Kalinga Hockey Stadium and Odisha’s
key destinations like the Blue Flag certified Golden
Beach in Puri, Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark Sun
Temple, Raghurajpur Crafts village, Lingaraj Temple,
Rajarani Temple and the Udayagiri Caves.
He also explored possibilities to enhance ties
between universities of France and Odisha in the
field of Sports, and boost investments in the State for
Smart City and renewable energy projects.
Passionate about
EXPLORING ODISHA?
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Here’s your chance to get featured with us .16 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
HERITAGE TAKES
CENTRE STAGE
A glimpse of Odisha Tourism’s recent flagship events
RAJARANI MUSIC FESTIVAL
H eld against the backdrop of the 11th century Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar, the festival was a cel-
ebration of India’s diverse traditions of classical music. The 3-day musical soiree, graced by maestros,
filled the air with celestial music reinforcing the significance of this art as the cornerstone of spirituality.
MUKTESWAR FESTIVAL
T he three-day annual flagship festival on Odissi dance was held on the manicured lawns
of Mukteswar Temple in Bhubaneswar. Classical moves from noted danseuses cou-
pled with a symphony of music turned the evening air at the 10th century temple ethereal.ODISHA UNRAVELLED 17
DHAULI-KALINGA MAHOTSAV
R epresenting the various cultural hues of India is this three-day cultural extravaganza of performing
arts. Held under the star lit skies, the amalgamation of various classical music, dance forms- both Indi-
an and international and martial arts transform the Dhauli Shanti Stupa into a place of artistic brilliance.
VRINDABAN MAHOTSAV
U nder the patronage of internationally acclaimed flautist Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Bhubane-
swar’s Vrindaban Gurukul organised the 2nd edition of Vrindaban Mahotsav in associa-
tion with Odisha Tourism. Apart from showcasing celebrated performances of maestros of Indi-
an classical music, the event doubled up as a platform for the Gurukula’s pupils to exhibit their art.18 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
ODISHA TOURISM BAGS SILVER AWARD FOR
‘BEST FUTURE FORWARD STATE’ AT
THE 6TH INDIA RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
Department of Tourism successfully strengthened Odisha’s emerging brand perception as a
champion of responsible tourism
O
disha Tourism was well established. Our ecotour-
conferred the Silver ism model of community-man-
Award for “Best Fu- aged nature camps has since
ture Forward State” 2016 empowered rural popu-
at the sixth edition of the Indian lations with alternate and sus-
Responsible Tourism Awards, tainable livelihood. From de-
organised for the first time out- veloping Odisha’s tourism and
side the National Capital Ter- hospitality infrastructure for mon
ritory of Delhi, at Eco Retreat greater resilience against dis- Maga- say-
Odisha in Konark. Kerala won ruptive events such as cyclones say Awardee Dr. Harish Hande,
the Gold category award in the and pandemics, to ensuring re- Co-founder of SELCO, Mr.
same segment. sponsible design of new tour- Jaideep Bansal, COO of Global
The awards recognise cham- ism products – we have made Himalayan Expedition, Mr. Chi-
pions of ethical travel as a re- sustainability our mantra”, said rag Mahajan Senior Manager at
gional partner of the reputed Mr. Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Waste Warriors and Ms. Mani-
World Travel Market’s (WTM) Minister of State (IC) for Tourism sha Shah, Advocacy Manager at
Responsible Tourism Awards & OLLC, Government of Odisha. Arghyam presented successful
held in London. Active sessions were held dur- case studies involving sustain-
Putting the state’s communi- ing the summit involving pres- able tourism models while Ms.
ty-managed ecotourism model entations and discussions on Bharati Chaturvedi, Found-
at the forefront, Department of sustainable solutions to man- er & Director of Chintan Envi-
Tourism successfully strength- age water, waste and carbon ronmental Research & Action
ened Odisha’s emerging brand footprints through communi- Group, Ms. Fiona Jeffery, OBE,
perception as a champion of ty-oriented actions with com- Founder & Chairperson of Just
responsible tourism by hosting munity-led sustainable niche a Drop and Ms. Anita Mendirat-
these awards at the state’s flag- tourism project ‘Ecotour Odis- ta, Special Advisor to Secretary
ship Eco Retreat- a venue which ha’ being highly appreciated by General of the UNWTO and a
seamlessly combines luxury the delegates present. strategic resource to the World
with sustainability. Persons of eminence like Mr. Bank, WTTC, IATA and ATAG
“Odisha’s contribution to pro- Aman Nath, Founder & Chair- took the headline sessions
moting responsible tourism is man of Neemrana Hotels, Ra- through virtual address.ODISHA UNRAVELLED 19
CAPACITY BUILDING TO
REVIVE TOURISM
O
disha Tourism or- represent, Shri Vishal Dev said, Tourism & Hospitality Manage-
ganised a workshop “Tourist Officers have a crucial ment, S ‘O’ A Deemed to be
on “Contemporary role to play in the implemen- University, Bhubaneswar, pre-
Tourism Scenario - tation of the revival strategies. sented various strategies the
Strategies for Revival into the They need to act as facilitators state needs to adopt for quick
World of (New) Next Normal for in attracting private sector in- revival and development of
the State of Odisha” at Eco-Re- vestments and work towards tourism sector. Celebrated Ar-
treat, Konark for the Tourist improving ease of doing busi- chitect and Photographer Shri
Officers of the State. The work- ness in the state. This will not Shakti Nanda explored the Po-
shop was organised in associ- only expedite the creation of tential of Nature based Tourism
ation with Indian Institute of new tourism products but also in Odisha. Shri Jaideep Bansal,
Tourism & Travel Management, add to the economic develop- Global Himalayan Expeditions
Bhubaneswar to share the ment”. He deliberated on creat- stressed on empowering the lo-
plans and strategies to revive ing experiential tourism prod- cal communities through sus-
and strengthen the sector over ucts like homestays, heritage tainable tourism development,
the next 3 years and expound properties, caravan tourism, skill development and capacity
on the vital role Tourist Officers houseboats and cruises among training. He spoke of the role
need to play in promotion, de- others. the stakeholders need to play
velopment and sustainability of The workshop comprised 5 not just for revival but strength-
tourism in their respective dis- sessions headed by eminent ening of the tourism sector.
tricts. The event was attended academicians and experienced Shri Jitu Mishra, Co-founder,
by Hon’ble Minister of Tourism professionals from the tourism Sarna Educational and Cultural
& OLLC Shri Jyoti Prakash Pan- sector. Dr. Md. Sabir Hussain, Services talked about the need
igrahi, Principal Secretary Tour- Nodal Officer (Head), IITTM of Immersive Organic Tourism
ism Shri Vishal Dev, Director Bhubaneswar gave a pres- Experiences through grassroot
Tourism Shri Sachin R. Jadhav entation on the Contemporary entrepreneurship. The work-
and Chairperson OTDC Smt. Tourism Scenario as per the shop ended with interesting
Shreemayee Mishra. data and analytics of a global Management Games by Dr.
Urging the tourist officers to survey conducted by the UN- Adyasha Das, Associate profes-
become the brand ambassador WTO. Prof. Sitikantha Mishra, sor and Coordinator-Workshop,
of their respective districts they Dean – cum Advisor, School of IITTM Bhubaneswar.20 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
A HercUlean
T
he 2nd edition of HercUlean ITF Tri-
athlon- Konark 2021 saw 160 triath-
letes from across 20 different states
SHOW OF and armed forces participate in a
gruelling race at Konark. Organised with strict
ENDURANCE
adherence to Covid-19 guidelines, the race was
held on 27th February by HercUlean Triathlon
in association with Department of Sports &
AND MIGHT Youth Services, Department of Tourism and
the Indian Triathlon Federation.
There were participations in four different categories
• 22 in Full Distance Tri (3.5km Swim, 180km Cycle, 42km Run)
• 74 in Tri.5 distance (1.75km Swim, 90km cycle, 21km run)
• 50 in Olympic Distance (1.5km Swim, 40km Cycling, 10km run)
• 14 in Sprint Category Tri (750meter Swim, 3950 in 5km Joy of running
“
The triathletes proved that India has Winners:
a great scope for this sport and with Herculean full distance race:
states like Odisha supporting it, we can • Vardhan Shirish from Pune, Maharashtra finished
soon invite international triathletes too to 3.5km swim, 180 km cycling, and 42k run in 13 hr
the state”, said Abhishek Mishra, Founder 38 min.
& CEO, Tabono Sports who started this Tri- Tri.5 race category (1.75km swim, 90km cycling, 21km run):
athlon event at Konark in 2020. • Cdr Yashpal Yadav from Indian Navy finished the
Held at one of the most iconic destinations race in 6 hr 30 min 23 sec in men’s category
in the state- Konark, the racetrack took the • Tapasya Singh from Bangalore, Karnataka finished
triathletes on a scenic route starting from the race in 7hrs 16min in women’s category
Ramachandi to Chandrabhaga Beach. Olympic Distance (1.5km swim, 40km cycling, 10km run):
Since, there were different cut-off trim- • Rahul Shinde from Pune, Maharashtra clocked 2
ming in each race category, the event last- hr and 11min in men’s category
ed for over 30 hours from 6 am on Saturday • Aarthi S from Chennai, Tamil Nadu clocked 2 hrs
till 12:30 pm the next day. 51min in women’s categoryODISHA UNRAVELLED 21
BEACH SOCCER -
A GOAL TO DESTRESS AND REJUVENATE
The first of its kind beach soccer tournament is a maiden initiative to integrate
football and the stunning coastline in Konark
I
n a bid to establish wellbeing and recreation as the cornerstone of tourism in the
state, CII Odisha in association with Department of Tourism organized Beach Soccer
Corporate Tournament at the Chandrabhaga Beach in Konark. 10 teams compris-
ing corporate sector companies and PSUs battled it out through 27 matches in this
2-day tournament where Tata Steel emerged as the Champion of Beach Soccer 2021 by
beating Paradeep Port Trust in 2-1 penalty shoot-out.
Two exhibition matches were organized for Women Entrepreneurs and CII and Yi
members where Capt. Dibya Shankar Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of Industry, MSME, Ener-
gy and Home, was the goalkeeper in one of the friendly matches played by the corpo-
rates. This maiden initiative was very much appreciated by senior government officials,
business leaders. Media and FC Odisha members.
It is well-known that vacation improves physical and mental health, happiness and
productivity. Hence, the objective to destress members through friendly football match-
es was effectively met at one of the most iconic beach destinations in the state.22 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
ARRIBADA IN EASTERN
COAST
AR SHAKTI NANDA
C
oastlines of Odisha to lay eggs which are then Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanc-
in the f irst quarter of covered with sand. Hatch- tuary comes under protect-
every year witness ‘Ar- lings crawl out of these eggs ed area and tourism during
ribada’ when over half a mil- after an incubation period of Arribada is restricted. The
lion Olive Ridley turtles (Lep- 52-58 days and head straight best place to experience Ar-
idochelys olivacea) gather for the sea with the rising ribada for tourists in Odisha
for mass nesting. sun as their lead. is Rushikulya rookery. The
Arribada is a unique phe- local villagers have taken a
nomenon where the pelagic keen interest in conservation
species of Olive Ridley turtles and protection of this en-
try to increase the chances dangered species and read-
of survival of their offspring. ily support government’s ini-
Predominantly concentrated tiatives towards the same.
at Rushikulya by the mouth Since 2003, the Department
of the river Devi and Gahir- of Forest & Environment has
matha beaches of Odisha, been tremendously pro-ac-
this is a unique gift of na- tive in improvising protec-
ture. The smallest sea turtles Though Olive Ridley turtles tion, conservation and doc-
lay more eggs at one place are common around the umentation of these exotic
a single time to supersede world, mass nesting occurs guests. More than 150 people
the consumption of preda- only at few places. In the Pa- are directly engaged by the
tors, thereby increasing the cif ic, large nesting occurs Department, along with the
survival rate of offspring. A in Mexico and Costa Rica. In support of 200 volunteers
single turtle can lay over 110 India, besides the rookeries f rom local villages, who con-
- 140 eggs and reports sug- of Rushikulya, mouth of the stantly monitor the 5.5-kilo-
gest that out of every thou- river Devi & Gahirmatha in metre-long coastal belt at
sand hatchlings that enter Odisha, nesting of Olive Ri- Rushikulya. This phenome-
the sea only one manages dley turtles occurs in lesser non is a sight to behold for
to reach full adulthood. This numbers in Versova, Peram- wildlife lovers and conserva-
extreme low rate of survival budur, Anjarle, Gaonkhadi in tionists.
has thus put them under the Maharastra. A mass nesting
International Union for Con- site has been recently dis- Shakti Nanda is an Architect
servation of Nature’s red list. covered on the Andaman Is- and is passionate about Nature
Olive Ridley dig pits on the lands. Photography
beach using their hind flaps The Gahirmatha rookery ofODISHA UNRAVELLED 23
ASHISH KUMAR JENA
THE
BIRDER’S
SOUL
I
t was a cold misty morning. Armed with my gear low through the grassy veil and with it came the
for a special Birding expedition, I set off along trills, buzzes, bell-like sounds and a sharp dry chak.
the winding trails of Mangalajodi Wetlands in My heart swelled with joy and adrenaline pumped
pursuit of a small beautiful bird called the Blue- through my veins while I adjusted the focus of my
throat well before dawn. The Bluethroat (Luscinia DSLR. As I started clicking, the camera shutter
svecica) is a member of the thrush family which I shrouded the sound of the loquacious male flit-
had spotted when I used to do Birdwatching with ting from nearby willow to willow, stopping for a
my binoculars only. But the impetus to document moment on each one to sing his operetta of song.
the experience added extra kilos to my birding By swelling his brilliant blue and orange throat and
gear which included a camera, lenses, tripod and a chest just like a miniature Robin, he chirped, whis-
gimbal. While documenting a small, fluttering and tled and warbled his heart out. Over the next three
elusive bird like the Bluethroat with a heavy hand- hours under the sun, I followed the male, tip-toeing
held camera coupled with a telephoto lens poses soundlessly to avoid its attention while maintaining
a veritable challenge before the Birder, it is his soul a critical distance that birders follow as their second
that sustains him through this frustrating yet satis- nature, pausing, watching and waiting for that per-
fying ordeal. fect moment to capture the beauty through my
The Bluethroat, a small passerine, is a polytypic lens. After a while, the male was joined by a female
species similar in size to the Indian Robin at 13–14 and adding to my sheer luck was a juvenile that
cm that breeds across northern Europe, Asia and approached them. The male foraged a caterpillar
Alaska and winters from northern Africa to Indian as he scuttled closer and closer to the scene of the
Subcontinent. It is generally considered to be an action under the veil of weeds until it was caught
Old-World flycatcher. Ever-increasing understand- by the viewfinder- completely filling my frame.
ing of the processes that govern the loop migration Of all places of birding in India, including the Ke-
of the Bluethroat are observations on migratory oladeo Ghana National Park, Ranganathittu, Thol
flyways, studies of stopover ecology and behaviour, Bird Sanctuary, Kodiyakkerai National Park, Dan-
and research of orientation and navigational abili- deli Birding Sites including Himalayan sites of Sat-
ties. This small beauty of nature has many folkloric tal and Pangot, the rich wetlands of Mangalajodi,
names referring to its virtuosity as a singer. It has Chilka, gives the most promising vantage for a
the most varied song repertoire amongst all avian birder. The biodiversity and rich migration have the
species and hence called the “the nightingale of power to captivate you in its serenity and if you are
Lapland”. patient enough you might find peace within the
As the sun shone, dehazing the mist, I sat on the Birder’s Soul.
dew-draped grass on the earthen bund, patient-
Ashis Ku Jena is an Odisha Administrative
ly waiting for the spring song of the male and a
Service (OAS) Officer and is passionate
glance of its tell-tale necklace. After what seemed
like an eternity, it started to scuttle under the wil- about Birding & Bird Photography24 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
SADHABA BOHU RITUAL IN
DANDAMUKUNDAPUR
VILLAGE IN PURI
PANCHAMI MANOO UKIL
T
hey look like tiny blood customs and rituals have of the soil, both crucial for a
red cushions with spi- been intrinsically entwined good harvest. The plate car-
dery legs, crawling with science and wisdom. rying the velvet mites is then
slowly out of the earth. One such custom celebrat- placed on a tradition rope
They have been a part of the ing the contribution of Red ‘douli’ or swing tied from a
lives of everyone growing up Velvet Mites to maintaining tree and swung to the accom-
in the 80’s and 90’s. They are the fertility of soil is found in paniment of folk songs. This
the beautiful little Red Velvet Dandamukundapur village swing is then reserved for the
Mites or “Sadhaba Bohu”. near Puri. When the sadhaba girls and women to swing on
The presence of red velvet bohus appear with the first during the three days of the
mites is extremely important rains just around the time of harvest festival of ‘Raja’. After
to the environment. These the famous ‘Raja’ festival , the the ritual is over, the sadhaba
mites are part of a commu- children of the village are sent bohus are returned to the soil
nity of soil arthropods that to the revered ‘Bada Pokhari’ besides the large tank from
is critical in terms of rates of or central village pond to pick where they had been picked
decomposition in woodlands, up the mites, place them on up.
and in maintaining the struc- large brass plates and bring Red velvet mites are still found
ture of the entire ecosystem. them to a venue earmarked abundantly areas where de-
By feeding on insects that eat for the ritual. The women folk forestation is minimum and
fungi and bacteria, they stim- then place flowers, ‘durva’ and soil moisture is at optimum
levels. However, they rarely
appear in urban areas due to
the effects of large scale con-
struction and dry soil because
of dropping groundwater lev-
els. Rooted in our culture is
a reverence for the intercon-
nectedness in nature, sym-
bolised by such rituals as this
one at Dandamukundapur
that advocate respect for all
life forms. Everytime a species
goes extinct, there is a trickle
down effect on life-process-
es and chains of existence
on earth. When these effects
multiply beyond control, we
find ourselves in the grip of
pandemics, uncertain and
ulate the decomposition pro- ‘barkolipatra’ (Bermuda grass helpless. The COVID-19 pan-
cess and help maintain bal- and leaves of Indian Jujube) demic is a repeat alarm for us
ance in soil ecosystems. And on the plate and wave a lamp to slow down our ambitions
when they are absent from before it, signifying devotion and understand that we are
the soil in a particular area and reverence to the sadha- only a part of creation and not
where they survived before, ba bohus. This tradition sym- the creators.
many critical processes in the bolises the reverence for the
soil are slowed down and fer- ‘sadhaba bohu’ as a harbinger Panchami Manoo Ukil is a
tility of soil reduces greatly. of a good monsoon as well Birdwatcher and Educator
Down the ages, our traditions, as a sustainer of the fertilityODISHA UNRAVELLED 25
BOVINE
CARETAKERS
OF CHILIKA AVINASH KHEMKA
E
ndemic to the Chilika ecosystem is a unique
species of buffalo that is endowed with the
capability of entering deep into the brack-
ish waters of the wetlands. These bovines graze
on the grass and other vegetation that grows
under water, drink the brackish water to quench
their thirst, and remain immersed inside the wa-
ter for days together. They are genetically wired
with resilience to withstand the marshy environ-
ment and extreme weather conditions. They are
tethered or let loose in the open under hot sun
or heavy rains. Though low yielding, that fact that
they are hardy and zero maintenance makes
them a viable business option for villagers who
rear them.
Chilika buffaloes clean the inside of the lake and
wetlands by grazing on unruly vegetation, there-
by clearing trails and channels for boats within the
wetlands. They oxygenate the waters with their
brisk movements and convert the grass fodder
into highly nutritious milk. The buffalo droppings
are nutritious feed for fish and other organisms.
When they move in the waters, their movement
forces the small fish, frogs and insects to come
to the surface of the water. This is the reason why
we often see birds sitting on the backs of the buf- ation of families that rear these animals, policies
faloes and hovering low in the air just behind the and programmes need to be adopted by gov-
buffaloes, to feed on such fish, frogs and insects. ernment and other concerned agencies to align
Chilika buffaloes being an endemic species are conservation of this species with research on ge-
an integral part of the functioning of the Chilika netic variations to find out if the dairy yield can be
ecosystem, especially the biodiversity food chain. enhanced.
Therefore, it is imperative to safeguard this buf-
falo germplasm in order to maintain ecological Avinash Khemka is an Industrialist and avid
balance in the habitat. As they are reducing in Wildlife Photographer
numbers due to disinterest in the younger gener-26 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
EXPERIENCES GALORE IN
INDIA’S BEST KEPT SECRET
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never
go back to its old dimensions!
ROSALIN DASH Oliver Wendell Holmes
A
vast coastline, pristine blue waters of and worshipped by indigenous communities of
the Bay of Bengal, highlands of the Odisha. These trips echo Sarna’s vision to pro-
Eastern Ghats, lush green canopy, and tect mother nature as she protects and provides
high plateaus of the Chhotnagpur with for the mankind.
the mighty river Mahanadi meandering through The idea of immersive travel is to let a traveler
the landscape to merge with the sea. We’re talk- experience the stories and legends of the place
ing about Odisha- India’s best kept secret!
The trend of waiting for the annual vacation is
a passé. Weekend travel and short trips are the
new fad. With families becoming nuclear and
youth financially independent, quick breaks
have emerged as the best way to unwind. As the
focus turns towards the journey and experience
rather than following an itinerary to a destina-
tion, Odisha is evolving into a space of immer-
sive travel.
Immersive Travel with Sarna
rather than just checking things off the fixed
itinerary. Vast coastline of Odisha, gorge of Sat-
kosia, peaks of Koraput, culturally rich villages of
Kandhamal, majestic palace of Belgadia, forests
of Barbara and Dhani, picturesque Mangalajodi,
pristine beauty of Keonjhar – the list of curated
experiences in Odisha is endless.
Currently, Sarna offers curated immersive travel
experiences for travelers to unexplored regions
of Odisha. The bundled experiences and organ-
ised trips for travel enthusiasts are conducted
nor very far from the twin city of Cuttack and
Bhubaneswar. They can be opted for a weekend
escapade.
Introducing Craft Tourism
The state has many craft destinations; each re-
gion having a craft, art or weave unique to itself.
Through the concept of craft tourism, Sarna
offers travelers a walkthrough to interact, learn
and see the life of an artisan and buy crafts to
support them. It is an experience that brings joy
of a lifetime.
Like they say, ‘Jobs fill your pocket, adventures
Odisha offers ample of immersive travel desB- fill your soul’ and the adventures that awaits one
lessed with nature’s bounty and a rich cultural in Odisha has it all!
heritage, Odisha offers ample immersive travel Sarna Travel is brainchild of Sarna
destinations to explore and experience. Such Educational and Cultural Services LLP
trips are conducted by ‘Sarna Travel’. The name
Rosalin Dash is a Corporate HR turned Social
‘Sarna’ which means ‘Sacred Grove’ resonates
Entrepreneur
well with our idea of trips to places protectedODISHA UNRAVELLED 27
BEAT THE HEAT WITH THIS
HEALTHY ODIA CUISINE
Pakhala Bhata is a perfect Odia cuisine dish to beat the
heat and lead a healthy life!
CHEF NISAR AHMED
A
lthough eaten preparation of River Fresh After consuming in break-
throughout year by small Fish (Chuna Ma- fast or Lunch, it keeps the
people across Odis- cha) cooked little dry with body light and also ener-
ha but in summer its mustard paste. getic.
importance grows manifold. • Rohi Macha Bhaja is a dry 2. Beneficial bacteria get
The dish is very popular in preparation of Rohu fish, produced in abundance.
other parts of India like West Slow cooked on Tawa 3. Controls Stomach ail-
Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, • Badi Chura - Crushed ments.
Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu Urad Dal badi with green 4. Being very fibrous, it re-
but named differently. chillies, garlic & onion moves constipation.
It is best suited in hot climate • Mix Bhaja - Sautéed sea- 5. Normalizes blood pres-
especially for breakfast or lunch sonal f resh vegetables sure and helps reduce hy-
and comes with lot of health • Aloo Baigan Bharta - pertension.
benefits. Roasted potatoes & egg- 6. Removes allergy induced
Traditionally, rice is cooked plant mash with local fla- problems and skin-relat-
in the afternoon and its excess vours ed ailments.
water is drained. After the rice It is also eaten with raw onion, 7. Regular eating keeps
cools down to room tempera- cucumber and green chilli. f resh infections at bay.
ture, it is soaked fully in water There is an option to drain ex- 8. Provides youthful and ra-
and stored in an earthen clay cess water from Pakhala and diant look.
pot. eat it with yogurt and a slight 9. Richest source of vitamin
This covered pot with soaked sprinkle of salt. B12 for vegans.
rice is left overnight at regular Health benefits as highlight- #DoYouKnow Odias wel-
room temperature. The rice ed by Nutritionists are as un- come summer by celebrat-
gets fermented by the next der: ing Pakhala Dibasa on 20th
morning and is eaten for break- 1. After consuming in break• March every year.
fast as well as Lunch.
Also added with little salt,
roasted jeera, coriander leaves
and ginger, this combo blends
into an irresistible taste. The
water is called ‘Torani’.
At Kanika restaurant we serve
some authentic special ac-
companiments with Pakhala
like Saga Badi Nadia, Chingu-
di Bhaja, Chuna Macha Besara,
Rohi Macha Bhaja, Badi Chu-
ra, Mix Bhaja and Aloo Baigan
bhartha.
• Saga Badi Nadia is a
preparation of local green
leafy vegetables sautéed
with badi and grated co-
conut.
• Chingudi bhaja is a prepa-
ration of pan-fried prawns
with a blend of dry spice
• Chuna Macha Besara is a
Nisar Ahmed is the Corporate Chef of Mayfair Group of Hotels28 O D I S H A U N R A V E L L E D
ABOUT ODISHA TOURISM
Established as Department of Tourism & Culture in 1973, the Department of Tourism (DoT) strives to:
1. Promote diverse and sustainable tourism with a view to enhancing the national and global visi-
bility and favourability of Odisha as a prime tourist destination
2. Create employment opportunities to bring socio-economic benefits to the community and
boosting community participation in tourism
3. Preserve, enrich and promote Odisha’s unique cultural heritage and ecological diversity through
sustainable development
Apart from undertaking various initiatives for the development of tourism infrastructure and ser-
vices in the state under the Odisha Tourism Policy 2016, DoT aims to establish its brand globally and
enhance the favourability of Odisha as a prime tourist destination through the twin strategies of
event based promotion and destination experience promotion, through innovative advertising and
multimedia based outreach to national and global markets.
HABALIKATHI, BHITARKANIKA
Department of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha,
Paryatan Bhawan, Lewis Road, Bhubaneswar - 751014,
Ph: 0674 - 2432177/ 2431896, Fax: 0674 - 2430887
info@odishatourism.gov.in | odishatourism.gov.in
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