From Orissa Government e-Magazine
By. Anuja Mohan Pradhan
The natural domain of Kandhamal district has its riches hidden from the public eye. Thenatural forest cover, the rivers and streams, variety of animal life is exotic and exhilarating.The information, statistics and perspective of tourism in Kandhamal district have alwaysbeen amusing and stimulating. It is not a point of doubt that this district has a good number ofspots and sites that potentially attract a good array of tourists. However, the long discussedpotential is like gold in the mine, a long way still to go to extract it and mint a gold coin.While talking of tourism focus should be on the expected tourists, better if it can bequantified. To all the religious places like Chakapad, Balaskumpa, Dungi etc., the visitorsare mainly the local devotees swelling during the important festivals of the deity. The peopleof the adjoining districts of Ganjam and Boudh are but occasional callers. Lack of publictransportation to such places keeps many visitors away. The duration of the visitors andthe spirit of enjoyment are insufficient for sustaining the district tourism as an industry.Among the domestic toursts the Bengalees top the list. Has this district ever attracted or hassomething of interest to such people ? How many chartered tourists buses ply to this thedistrict ? The people of this district may add divinity to the fearless fishes of Katramala butit may not be rewarding for the people coming from distant places after a painstaking journey.The Putudi waterfall is a picturesque spot but the road communication needs improvement.The place also requires some plastic treatment in approach paths. Descending stairs, ifconstructed, Mondasoru kuti (gorge) itself will will induce a new comer to run through.Photographs of such redesigned places will give a new food for thought to a touring mind.A historical site is always a place of tourist attraction. The district of Kandhamalhas richly contributed to the history of the state. It served as a hide out for the Bhanja kings ofthe erstwhile state of Ghumsar, a centre of tribal uprising during the British Raj and the peoplefought during Khemundi invasion with the army of the king of Boudh. The martyr, BhanguMallick of Kurmingia was hanged to death by the British. These are, but few historical factswhich have great significance to testify. The heroes of the land live in the hearts of thepeople only. The footprints of those brave sons of the soil can be traced at places like Kalingaghat interiors, Dodasoru and Bandhagarh. The present Saiva shrine of Dungi has beenidentified as a Buddhist site after an accidental digging. Archaeology Department is yet tobegin the excavation work though a long time has passed. Beneath the mounds lies thehistorical treasure of this district. In the meantime a new temple has come up at the site.A temple may help few priests for their living, but when the site is widely excavated it willbring the truth into light and will create a perennial source of tourist inflow to thedistrict.
The organising of Melas and festivals is very much helpful to promote tourism. Melascan be of religious, commercial or cultural nature. The tourism of Rajasthan has given anew impetus to market the Melas and attract tourists from far and near. KandhamalMahotsav has been a fair for cultural revival. The sojourn of the troupes from different partsof the state gives a good evening entertainment like a river cruise on the Mandavi in Goa, butit has paid little attention to offer something lucrative to the tourists. It should inviteluminaries from different fields of art, theatre and culture to add spice to the broth. The venueshould also be changed from year to year so that every important place and its peripherygets tourist attention.
The flora of this district is varied and priceless. It spreads from Sal forest toRouwolfia and from mangoes to gooseberry (Amla). This treasure of the district has beensiphoned and decorated the drawing rooms of cities. The famous Chandanban of Kalinga haslost its name and nature. The indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants of local peopleneeds to be preserved. It is an era of 'Back to Herbal' wherein lies the tremendous potentialto preserve as well as to market the forest produce. What needed is to bring the naturecloser. People can plant Amla trees in their courtyard and the like. Slowly, these activitieswill create a potential market and the day is not very far when it will be marketed like'Kandhamal Haldi'. The botanical garden at Kalinga, the oldest one of the state is the mostsuitable place for such a project. The wild life of the district is reducingdue to rapid loss of forest cover. In recent past the drivers of vehicles plying at night used tosee tiger, leopard and other animals crossing the road at many places in the district. Now-adayssuch experiences are very rare. A child cannot see a tiger or a civet unless taken toNandankanan. The point is, how it would be to have a Zoological Park in the district !Species like wild fowl, peacock, red squirrel, wild dog, porcupine, pangolin are almostgetting extinct. Keeping them in the zoological parks for breeding can only preserve thosespecies. The wild life sanctuary project at Sri Rampur near Kotgarh is yet to see the light ofthe day. Unlike the sanctuary a Zoo or a Deer Park can be planned at locations of Kalinga,Tudipaju, Siddingi and the like. Kalinga with Botanical Garden and good communication toBerhampur, Baliguda and Phulbani can be an ideal location.
In the modern day tourism, landscaping has played a very important role. The naturalsports have been moulded to provide a tasteful feast to eyes and to enhance safety. The placeslike empty fall near Mussoorie, Telco picnic spot at Jamshedpur, spice plantation at Pondain Goa and Sambhav near Rohibanka in Nayagarh District are some good examples oflandscaping. At Ponda, it is tried to provide a glimpse of past life style and culture. The tools,musical instruments and irrigation techniques of yore are preserved and displayed in a veryinformative and tasteful manner. At few places the slopes are levelled to carve a room forconference venues, open-air theatre and dinner banquets. The whole of the place is coveredwith tall trees where creepers of black pepper grow. Such spots can be planned near waterreservoirs at Balaskumpa, Madhujhari dam, Kakalbaki and Sirki dam. These places, whendeveloped can serve as the interacting coffee houses for different people, The Grand Cheetalenroute Haridwar is another fine example under private enterprise. A plot of about two acresso designed provides a snacks /coffee bar, icecream parlour, green lawns and flower gardens.It has made provisions of drinking water for the stopping vehicles. These places justify thesaying : "The supply creates it own Demand". A simple transformation of the place can betaken up at Banani picnic resort, in front of sylvicultural garden at Kalinga. The slogan is"Give me a mountain, I will make it a Garden." Availability of large-scaleaccommodation is another necessity for tourism development. The district of Kandhamal hasno Panthnivas at any place of interest. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and ForestBungalow are for official use and does not have a flavour for serving the guests. Panthanivas atplaces like Phulbani, Belghar, Tumudibandh and G. Udayagiri will be suitable startingpoints for site seeing as well as private entrepreneurship. A Panthnivas with a goodmenu, art gallery, souvenir boutique and a small stage for performance of local dance and songwill provide a nice and memorable stay. Investment in tourism is like planting afruit tree nourish the seedling till it grows and harvest its dividends for a long period. TheGovernment and the District Administration in particular have to play a pivotal role indevelopment of tourism in the district. The legislators representing the district at state andnational level can play a very significant role as the ambassadors of district tourism. All theendeavour of government and private entrepreneurs will end in nightmare unless theattitude towards the tourist is not friendly. In quite some places the locals take pleasure ininvading the privacy of tourists by making lewd remarks, showing wrong direction of road orlocation, etc. In tourism, the policy of politeness pays and it pays amply. The peopleof Goa have learned this truth. As a result tourists prefer to be a paying guest or taking acottage accommodation in hotels. Will the proud local sons of the soil realise thiswisdom ?
The financial institutions like OSFC, DIC and commercial banks have to extendfinance to the emerging entrepreneurs. The edifice of tourism can be built on theinfrastructure provided by the government. The potential has been a talked, weighed andaccepted fact. It is, therefore, high time to act, and work in coordination with people andnature so that tourism of the district gets a boost with ever expanding linkages.
