Odisha has drawn up an ambitious eco-tourism plan not just to find prominence on the domestic and international tourism map but to establish itself as a forerunner at the national level for perusing a progressive and sustainable tourism agenda that not only conserves the environment but also benefits local communities.
This is critical as the tourism sector in the state has grown manifold and is now recognized as a major instrument for employment creation and all round development of the state. It is in this regard that an exercise on framing a Tourism Master Plan for Chilika Lake & its Catchment Area has been developed. Odisha was chosen by Government of India as one of the 3 coastal states to implement the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP).
The programme for preparation on Tourism Master Plan for the Chilika Lake and its Catchment in Odisha, is an initiative by ICZMPunder the Department of Environment, Government of Odisha funded by the World Bank. Chilika Development Authority is the implementing agency. IPE Global has beenselected to undertake this assignment in consultation with all stakeholders.
Inception Workshop On Tourism Master Plan for the Chilika Lake & It’ Catchment inOdisha Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) 18th August, 2014 ‘Hotel New Marrion, Janpath, Bhubaneswar’ 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Hon’ble Minister Tourism Department, Government of Odisha has given his kind consent to grace the occasion as the chief guest. The workshop will focus on the project scope and the inception report.
The exercise of framing a Tourism Master plan for Chilika Lake & its Catchment area is being undertaken with the objective of Conservation of ecological resources in Chilika Lake and its catchment, promotion of sustainable use of the lake & its resource basin and appropriate economic activities to benefit the local communities. About the Project The need for an overall assessment of the tourism development potential in the Chilika lake area and its Catchment, for sustaining the economic growth momentum, now a necessary requirement for every State, has found expression in the “Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project” a Government of India initiative, which aims at protecting lives & livelihoods of coastal communities besides helping to conserve the natural marine & coastal resources.
This project shall help brand and market Chilika Lake and its catchment area as an eco-tourism destination and create a fertile ground for responsible private sector investments in this region; thus, economically benefiting all engaged in it.
