Bonai: The Khandadhar waterfall, a famous ecotourism site here in Sundergarh district, has been thrown open for visitors after nine months long break on Monday.
The district administration had prohibited visit of travellers to the site for the last nine months in view of the pandemic. The famous picnic spot, which attracts thousands of visitors especially during winter season, had been closed for the tourists since March due to coronavirus pandemic.
However, group picnic including preparation and consumption of food has been barred as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of Covid-19, Bonai Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) informed. Tourists can only visit the spot and enjoy the beauty of nature, he added.
The administration took the decision to reopen the biggest waterfall following sharp decline in Covid-19 positive cases in the district.
The covid-19 protocols including use of mask, hand sanitising and social distancing have been made mandatory for the visitors, the DFO added.
Khandadhar is famous for its glittering waterfall amidst thick green cover surrounded by hills.
The picturesque scenic beauty offers perfect settings for the picnic.
The Odisha government has started processing for reopening of famous temples and ecotourism sites across the State. The tourism sector, which had been hit hard by the covid-19 pandemic, is expected to get a boost after reopening of major shrines and tourist destinations.
Major sea beach sites including Golden beach in Puri, Pir Jahanaia, Ramachandi beach on Puri-Konark marine drive, Gopalpur beach in Ganjam and Talsari in Balasore which usually see thousands of visitors throughout the year, have witnessed a handful of tourists. Though the hotels were allowed to resume services, the hotel and hospitality sector is still struggling hard to get its life back.