Hablikhati Nature Camp in Odisha’s Kendrapara facing wrath of sea

Once nature used to be a boon for this famous tourist destination in Kendrapara district. Now, the same nature has turned out to be the bane for it. 

The tourist destination in question is Hablikhati Nature Camp, which is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is near Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara. 

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A serene coastal setting, once a haven for tourists, now finds its picturesque charm under threat. The Nature Camp, known for its rich biodiversity and stunning vistas, had once been a sought-after destination for travellers from across India and beyond. Here, idyllic cottages nestled amidst nature once greeted enthusiastic explorers eager to bask in the area's unspoiled beauty.

However, the present sight is starkly different as the campsite bears a deserted look with roaring sea waves galloping towards the cottages.

The day is not far away when the charming cottages might soon be engulfed in the ocean's embrace.

“Unfortunately, after Satabhaya, the sea is threateningly marching towards the coast at Hablikhati Nature Camp, which is not very far away from Satabhaya. We feel the situation has changed for the worse after cyclone Dana. The tourists who once preferred the cottages are now getting afraid to go there,” said Jagannath Das, a Rajnagar resident. 

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Echoing the same, Tanushree Mishra, a lecturer, said, “Tourists were staying in the cottages and enjoying nature’s beauty. With the sea marching 100 meters, one or two cottages are already in the water. Tourists are now scared to visit the spot.”

The picturesque coastline of Kendrapara is facing the profound challenge of coastal erosion, driven by the impacts of climate change. Over the past few years, the sea has relentlessly galloped towards the coast, significantly transforming the landscape and threatening to engulf this popular tourist destination. 

Local residents reminisce about a time when the sea stood at a reassuring distance of approximately 500 metres away. However, in recent years, the sea has been inching closer, instilling a growing sense of unease amongst the community dependent on tourism. The aftermath of cyclonic storm Dana has further exacerbated the situation, they observed. 

“What I saw is the sea was half a kilometre away. After the cyclones, the sea has been marching towards the coast menacingly and eroding it. Ten-twelve houses have already been damaged,” said Ghanashyam Swain, a Hablikhati cottage staff.

When contacted, Rajnagar DFO, Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav said, “We have noticed it that after Cyclone, the sea has slightly engulfed the open space in front of the cottages. As of now, keeping the tourists’ safety in view, we have closed cottage number one and a tent.”