Mangalajodi Ecotourism Project have opened their camp on International Tourism Day

Bhubaneswar:27/9/17: The Mangalajodi Ecotourism Project have opened their camp today on International Tourism Day. The opening was done by Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, the former Director General of Police, and the State Convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

Over the last seven years, Mangalajodi has now carved a place in world tourism map because of unique conservation method adopted by the villagers which has resulted in the highest congregation of migratory birds in the   Chilika Lake.

Speaking on the occasion, Tripathy said that tourism, and particularly eco-tourism, has great potential in boosting the local economy and creating jobs. The delicate ecosystem of the Chilika Lake, a world Ramsar Site, can be developed into a major tourist destination for both the domestic and foreign tourists. He said that Odisha has a rich heritage, both tangible and intangible, which can draw huge number of tourists if proper facilities are created. He has promised that INTACH would conduct awareness and sensitizing programmes for the local stakeholders and agencies working in the area.

Anil Dhir said that the Mangalajodi experiment should be a role model for other community based conservation programmes. The manner in which they have motivated and engaged the local poachers to give up the killing of birds and transformed them into guardians is a commendable job. The Project has inculcated a sense of professionalism in the stakeholders, and created a lot of awareness in the management of the environment and protection of the migratory birds. The setting up and running of the Ecotourism Camp is a success story Mangalajodi has carved a place in the world tourism map, it has been rechristened as a “Birds Paradise” and has become the prime spot for birders and bird photographers.

Sanjiv Sarangi of the Indian Grameen Services said that the villagers of the place have worked hard and with motivation to transform the poachers’ village into a world class tourist place. The project is a good example of community leadership and team building.