The Odisha government on Friday approved 10 new spots for development of eco-retreats with night stay facilities, and three spots for development as nature-camps for day tourists in a bid to woo more tourists to the state.

As of now, total 50 eco-retreat destinations and nature camps exist in the state. Most of the tourists are heading towards Puri-Konark and Bhubaneswar circuit popularly known as golden triangle. “Now we would provide the tourists another opportunity to explore Odisha. Now, conservation of forest and nature is turning into a sustainable treasure for the community,” said officials.

The local communities will be roped in to provide hospitality to the tourists. They will be encouraged to maintain the spots so that they earn their livelihood and preserve the natural environs of the spots.

“As envisioned by the Odisha government, eco-tourism has made strides with opening of new livelihood opportunities in the respective local communities. Conservation of forest and nature is turning into a sustainable treasure for the community, and we should promote that by all possible means,” said chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra while approving the proposals of the new eco-retreats on Friday.

The new eco-retreats approved in the meeting presided by Mahapatra, included Deomali hill top in Koraput, Jakam of Kalahandi, Nawana of Similipal north in Mayurbhanj, Silviculture garden of Phulbani, Muhana Muhana at Astaranga in Puri, Kotia in Koraput, Khadakhai dam in Rairangpur, Mahendragiri from Ganjam side in Berhampur, Kanjipani Ghat and Hadagarh dam in Keonjhar forest divisions.

Similarly, new nature camps for day tourists would be developed at Rani Duduma of Koraput, Dhaltangarh of Cuttack, and Bhandarpahar near Jhadeswari Temple of Nayagarh forest divisions. These places have the potential to attract tourists.

Concerned Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) and supervising officers would be assigned with the job to ensure that each cottage is properly functioning and all facilities including the dining places, toilets etc are available. It has also been decided to strengthen the hospitality sector through the formation of Eco-Tourism Society.

Principal chief conservator of forest (wild life) Sashi Paul said as of now 50 total eco-retreat destinations and nature camps are operating in the state.

“With these 13 new approvals, the total number of spots would increase to 63. These spots are growing popular with increasing footfalls and revenue generation. Online booking facility has also been rolled out. So far, around Rs 95 crore have been invested in development of the eco-destinations,” Paul said.

Review showed a constant increase in the number of footfalls at the eco-destinations.

“It increased almost by 142 per cent in the last 5 years....,” said a press release issued by the chief secretary’s office.

Additional chief secretary forest, environment and climate change Satyabrata Sahu along with senior officers of concerned departments participated in the deliberations.