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Bhubaneswar
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Tourism in Western Orissa |
Tourism has been recognised as an industry in Orissa and a
sizeable revenue is earned for the State from domestic as well as foreign tourists. The
idea of tourism was first mooted by the Government during the 3rd Five Year Plan. It was
revamped during the 5th Five Year Plan. The creation of Department of Tourism, Govt. of Orissa dates back to 1973. There have been
modifications from time to time as regards the sphere of function of the Department. The Department of Tourism and Culture has been
functioning in the present shape since 1995. The
Orissa Tourism Development Corporation was
created in March 1979 and it was incorporated
under Companies Act in September 1979.
Form both the sides, Government as well as Corporation, thrust was given on the
modernisation of the sight seeing spots of Orissa.
The spots are generally Konark, Puri, Nandankanan, Chandipur and other tourist spots
having a close proximity with the capital city. At the initial stage, with a meagre
budget, the Department could not cope with the pressing demands of tourists. Later, the
Government decided to streamline and spread its activities not only to coastal districts
but also to Western Orissa where tourist spots are also attractive.
Places of natural beauty are in abundance in Western Orissa. The natural stream and
forest resources at Harisankar in Bolangir moves the heart of the tourists. Equally
Nrusinghanath presents a panoramic view. The deity of Nrusinghanath sitting in the shape
of a half-human and half-lion form tearing apart Hiranyakasipu against the backdrop of a
stream is a scene to witness. Of course, now
a days, both the Department and Corporation have swung into action to create
infrastructural facilities for the tourists. Apart from those two natural spots, Kalahandi
district is endowed with the wealth of forests with rare species of black tigers, a
natural water fall at Rabandar and a host of temples situated at the peak of mountain
hills at Bhawanipatna. These are also places of tourists importance. The Patala Ganga spot
at Nawapara District is also a place of attraction for tourists. Ushakothi, Hirakud and Budrama in Sambalpur
district attract the attention of tourists. Similarly, the Khandadhar Waterfall in
Sundargarh district is also a tourist spot. The Mahanadi and the Tel river in Suvarnapur
district present beautiful natural scenes and the
confluence of the two rivers present a memorable sight.
The following tourist spots are there in the western parts of Orissa : Districts
Tourist
Spots Bolangir
Bolangir, Harishankar, Patnagarh, Bargarh
Bargarh and Nursinghanath Deogarh
Pradhanpat (on the outskrit of Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda, Viramkhol, Brajarajnagar Kalahandi
Bhawanipatna, Ampani, Phurli - Nuapada
Nuapada, Budhikomna, Yogimatha, Sambalpur
Sambalpur, Hirakud, Huma, Chiplima, Ushakothi
& Gudguda Sonepur
Sonepur, Charada of Binka (Papaks- Sundargarh
Sundargarh, Rourkela, Junagarh,
These tourist spots have the basic infrastructure and facilities. In the mean
while, the Department has identified a few more tourist spots.
The book Hotel Guide Orissa 1997
published by Department of Tourism and Culture embodies a vivid description of
accommodation facilities available to tourists. Another book entitled Orissa Tourism is also helpful for tourists for
the simple reason that it covers wide-ranging information relating to route chart,
Panthanivas with telephone numbers. There are brochures giving historical background of fairs and festivals, percentage of increase and decrease of the
domestic and foreign tourists and the revenue earned during particular periods.
The survey conducted by the Department of Tourism and Culture reveals the following
details: Year
Domestic
% of
Foreign
% of 1991-92 12,42,746
3.83
30,445
3.45 1992-93 12,59,003
1.31
26,335
(-)13.50 1993-94 13,09,330
4.00
25,824
(-) 1.94 1994-95 13,28,057
1.43
25,978
0.60 1995-96 13,71,642
3.28
30,218
16.32 1996-97 2,08,667
2.21
3,454
13.32
It appears from the table that there have been constant fluctuations in the flow of
domestic tourists in Orissa over the years. Compared to 1991-92 the growth rate of
domestic tourists for 1992-93 works out to be 1.31%. Similarly, the growth rate for
1993-94 registered an increase of 4% against 1.48% in 1994-95. The growth rate for 1996-97
registered only 2.21% against 3.28% for 1995-96 respectively.
So far as the foreign tourist flow is concerned the growth rate is quite dismal.
During 1992-93 and 1993-94 the growth rate registered negative degree of percentage
compared to 1991-92. But, unexpectedly, it registered a growth of 16.32% and 13.32% for
the year 1995-96 and 1996-97 respectively. This is due to the better infrastructure
facilities created by the Department.
As regards the national scenario of tourist inflow, a comparative statistical
analysis received from different states reveals in following facts: Name of the
1991
1995 West Bengal
5,68,094
46.52
5,99,486
44.07 Andhra Pradesh
1,21,121
9.92
1,37,350
10.10 Madhya
90,220
7.39
1,02,885
7.56 Bihar
1,06,010
8.68
1,28,927
9.48 Uttar Pradesh
61,748
5.06
64,218
4.72 Maharashtra
64,077
5.25
70,320
5.17 Tamilnadu
34,759
2.85
47,680
3.51 Gujarat
15,210
1.25
23,190
1.70 Karnatak
17,777
1.46
21,590
1.59 Rajsthan
6,613
0.54
12,329
0.91 New Delhi
33,547
2.74
48,368
3.56 Other States
1,01,940
8.34
1,03,924
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It appears from the comparative analysis that there has been perceptible increase
in the flow of tourists during 1991-95. It is equally satisfying that our State has not
lagged behind compared to the percentages worked out for different states.
But it is very difficult to segregate the figures for Western Orissa from the total
inflow of tourists during the said period. But the percentage of tourist flow to Western
Orissa, as has been ascertained by the P & C Department's evaluation report, works out
to be 7% of the total tourists during
1991-97. This is due to inadequate infrastructural facilities. There is lack of
accommodation, catering and transportation facilities. The roads are narrow with full of
ghats. Adequate display of places of tourist importance in Western Orissa is yet to be
taken up by the Tourism Department and the OTDC. Hopefully the initiative would be taken
by the Western Orissa Development Council to streamline the tourist spots.
An indepth study over plan outlays of State Govt. and financial assistance received
from Govt. of India for development of tourism in Orissa can be seen from the table given
below. Year Plan outlay-
Assistance recorded
(in lakh)
(in lakh) 1990-91 327.00
56.83 1991-92 382.00
120.30 1992-93 350.00
39.04 1993-94 400.00
50.24 1994-95 450.00
55.62 1995-96 468.00
157.89 1996.97 433.00
3.00
It is obvious from the table that apart from State assistance the Tourism
Department also gets a sizeable amount from the centre to streamline the tourism
activities of the State. It is understood from the Directorate of Tourism that the
Department earned nearly
So far as the Western Orissa is concerned, the Department and OTDC should make a
joint venture to improve the identified tourist spots with the creation of infrastructural
facilities. Improvement of tourist spots would generate employment and improve the lot of
the local population. Suggestions
The spots for tourism should be provided with accommodation and catering facilities
at moderate rates. There should be proper display of local handlooms and handicrafts of
Western Orissa. The folk culture including
dance, drama and music of Western Orissa should be performed in the State capital and
other places to highlight the tribal culture of the area. Temporary helipads should be
constructed to facilitate the flow of tourists. It is time the Tourism Department chalked out viable modalities to improve tourism
in Western Orissa. |
