Bhubaneswar: Nature lovers planning to visit Debrigarh Ecotourism site situated on the banks of Hirakud Reservoir, will be able to visit the three river islands on boat ride during their next trip.
The forest and environment department have decided to start ‘Island Odyssey’ and ‘Hirakud Cruise’ soon.The initiative will run in association with local communities and is a move to increase the footfall of tourists in the region.
The tourists visiting the ecotourism site can visit tropical islands of Hirakud Lake by Hirakud Cruise. The 3 islands covered under ‘Island Odyssey’’ programme are Island of Bats, Sunset Island and Cattle Island.
Forest officials have trained local forest dependent communities as eco-guides who will coordinate the program.
The ‘Island of Bats’ is just 1 Km away from Debrigarh Ecotourism and within the reservoir. It is the habitat for more than 1000 Bats.
Ecotourists can view the Sunset in the west from “Sunset Island” & if lucky can view the moon rising on the East at the same time. The Cattle Island where a group of cattles have spent their whole life. During the resettlement after the completion of dam construction, the villagers had left them and now their progenies are found living wild in the forests of the Island.
“We have enrolled 12 local Fishermen families for conservation of the Island,” informed forest official of Hirakud Wildlife Division.