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Departments like tourism, water resources, works and World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) would participate in the development of the 5.8 km-long and 670-metre-wide wetland, situated about four km from the National Highway, official sources said today.
The plan was chalked out at a meeting held recently after Chief Secretary B K Patnaik visited the spot and emphasised on its development as a tourist destination.
The wetland was once a major boating destination for tourists. But the facility was stopped two months ago due to law and order problems in the area. Now, facilities like parking, eco park, jetties, floating restaurants, cottages, tented accommodation and boating are being planned for the lake, which runs up to Rushikulya river near Ganjam town.
"When all these infrastructure facilities will be developed, we think the site will be one of the major tourist spots in the state and will attract more number of tourists. It will also be an important source of livelihood for people in the area", said district tourist officer K C Nishank.
"We have decided to develop the spot with the involvement of various departments as a major tourism centre to boost tourism industry in the district", said district collector Krishan Kumar.
The tourism department will sanction around Rs 8 crore for the project, sources said.
The district administration has also decided to bring the wetland and its adjoining area under the proposed master plan of the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) to regulate the construction work.
"We cannot regulate the construction work, if it is not under the proposed master plan of the BDA," the collector said. The government is likely to acquire some private lands for the project too, the Collector said.
