Eco-tourism project proposed at Sriram Nagar Reserve forest

Forest officers have proposed an eco-tourism project at Sriram Nagar reserve forest, adjoining Bhanjanagar reservoir, in Ganjam district of Odisha.
An animal rescue centre is also being planned near Biju Patnaik Children's Park in the town.
State's Forest and Environment Minister Bikaram Keshari Arukh had recently visited the proposed sites and discussed the projects with forest officers. He asked them to submit the detailed project reports (DPRs).
"The DPRs are being prepared and these would estimate cost of the projects," DFO (Ghumusar North) Rama Swamy said.
Thick forest cover, large concentration of wild animals and sylvan surroundings make Sriram Nagar reserve forest an ideal spot for the project. Several species of migratory birds visit the reservoir for their winter sojourn every year.

"Nature lovers and tourists will enjoy spending time at the reserve forest once it is developed into an eco-tourism site," the DFO said. It will have benches, watchtowers, a herbal garden and cottages, he added.

The proposed animal rescue centre will mostly house spotted and barking deer and blackbucks. It will be later developed into a deer park, which will be a major attraction for children visiting the park, official sources said.
Swamy said the eco-tourism project at Saluapalli, 75 km from Bhanjanagar, would soon be opened to tourists. Though the project was completed two years ago, the flow of visitors has been less due to construction of an approach road to the project site, he added.

The main attractions of the 13 km forest streching from Saluapalli to Somanathpalli are a treetop house, medicinal tree garden and a pond with jetty and fibre umbrella sheds.