TV
In a strong plea to protect the scenic Dokrichanchara tourist spot in Kalahandi district’s Koksara block, over a hundred locals staged a protest on Friday and submitted a charter of demands to the block development officer (BDO), urging intervention of the Odisha government for recognition, safety, and conservation measures.
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Memorandum addressed to Odisha CM
According to sources, in a growing movement to protect one of Kalahandi’s emerging tourist destinations, the residents of Koksara block staged a massive protest demanding safety and recognition for Dokrichanchara waterfall. The demonstration was spearheaded by a local outfit, ‘Dokrichanchara Surakshya Manch’, which submitted a memorandum to the BDO, addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The protestors laid out multiple demands, including formal recognition of Dokrichanchara as a tourist destination, its inclusion under the eco-tourism policy, protection from illegal activities in the nearby protected forest areas, and the delegation of site supervision responsibilities to a local trust.
Led by Rajendra Nayak, president of the Surakshya Manch, a rally drew participation from over a hundred men and women from nearby regions. After marching through the area, they gathered at Koksara bus stand, where a street meeting (pathapranta sabha) was held, reinforcing their call for governmental action.
The memorandum emphasised not just the ecological and tourism value of Dokrichanchara but also its cultural importance to the local community, urging swift steps for sustainable development and forest protection.
“We had given a call from 22 panchayats as Dokrichanchara waterfall is an asset of Koksara block in the district. We are striving to form a block-level committee. We will keep fighting for the development of the region,” the Manch president said.
“Dokrichanchara tourist site was earlier inaugurated more than 50 years ago in 1972. No development of the region was witnessed thereafter. We have been demanding a State tourist destination tag for the site,” a resident, Ashok Das, expressed.
