Odisha Tourism Dept prepares fresh DPR for Rs 174 crore Satkosia Tiger Reserve development plan

The Tourism department is preparing a fresh detailed project report (DPR) after it was asked to rework its Rs 174 crore development plan of Satkosia Tiger Reserve (TR).

As per a report published in the New Indian Express, the development reportedly happened after the approval from the Forest Department. The department had planned a series of tourism infrastructure in the core and buffer areas.

As per the framework provided by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, only eco-tourism activities are permitted inside a Tiger reserve which is a heavily regulated zone. Only temporary construction is allowed in buffer zone while the core area remains inviolate.

Under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme, the Tourism Department had prepared the integrated master plan for Satkosia Tiger Reserve which is Odisha’s second biggest tiger land, spread over 1136.70 sq km.

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The department had proposed tourist facilities in three zones - Pampasar-Tikarpada hub, Baliput-Badmul hub and Kusanga-Sitalpani hub of the tiger reserve in the original plan.

About 6.86 acre land in Tikarpada, 15.64 acre in Baliput, 16.07 acre in Purnakote, 3.77 acre in Chhamundia, 8.37 acre in Badmal and 19.55 acre in Sitalpani area was earmarked for the implementation of the project as per the master plan.