Bhubaneswar: The Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has recorded the highest footfall of 70,000 tourists among the state’s eco-tourism destinations in 2023-24, authorities said. It also generated a revenue of Rs 3.5 crore from community-run nature tourism, the highest in the state, they said. Wildlife officials said out of the 70,000 tourists, 50% were from Odisha, 20% from West Bengal, 29% from 15 other states, and the rest were foreigners.Sources said nature tourism in Debrigarh has registered the highest growth due to a blend of several factors like local connectivity, food, adjoining Hirakud dam, better animal sighting, community hospitality, birding, boating, religious trips and a beautiful sylvan forest.Anshu Pragyan Das, divisional forest officer of Hirakud, said the Debrigarh eco-tourism hub has not only contributed to conservation but also in the economic and social development of local forest-dependent communities around the sanctuary through year-round employment opportunities. “The success is the result of hard work and commitment of 87 families managing 14 night-stay cottages, safari, cruise, trekking, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, library, food services and souvenir shops. Protection measures have improved animal sightings, which attract tourists. As many as 95% of tourists reported leopard sightings,” she said.Sanctuary authorities said measures have been implemented to eliminate plastic waste and reduce the use of plastic carry bags and water bottles. “This has been possible due to the relocation of all villages that were inside the sanctuary. It is a landmark step to use eco-friendly jute bags for all internal purposes (carrying vegetables and other items). We are using unbreakable glass bottles to phase out plastic ones,” Das said.
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