Similipal - Heritage homes at Similipal to boost Tourism in Odisha

To ensure community participation in eco-tourism activities, the Odisha Eco-tourism Board is planning to create heritage homes in villages within the buffer area of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).

The board has asked Wildlife Orissa, an organization working in the field of wildlife and nature, to conduct a survey and select some villages, where heritage homes can be set up. The tourists will stay as paying guests at these homes.

STR deputy director Ajit Satapathy said some houses of villagers will be redesigned so as to make them livable for tourists. "The Wild Orissa is working on the designs. Apart from toilets, the houses will have dining space. The villagers, to be involved in hospitality of tourists, will be imparted training in preparing and serving food and maintaining hygiene," he said.

The deputy director said the heritage homes will help the wildlife wing engage another 200 villagers both directly and indirectly in eco-tourism activities. "Since construction of concrete structure is banned in the reserve, we will convert houses in the villages for tourists to stay. The interiors will be made attractive," said Satapathy.

Wildlife Orissa secretary Monalisa Bhujabal said, "We have selected the spots, keeping in mind the routes that tourists follow, where movement of vehicles won't disturb wild animals. Once the final design is ready, we will carry out the modifications," she said. The state government would initially fund the project, she added.

Bhujabal said tourist packages for staying as paying guests at these homes will be decided in consultation with the STR officials. "The project is unique because the villagers will be owners and run the homes on their own. We will only build the necessary infrastructure," she added.

STR sources said 70 villagers are currently reaping direct benefits from eco-tourism and 200 indirectly.

In another development, the STR officials provided 31 walkie-talkies to personnel manning 31 anti-poaching camps in the buffer zone.

Daringibadi, "Kashmir of Odisha" - An Unknown, Virgin and Hidden Attraction

 “Kashmir of Odisha”, an epithet, that characterizes this unknown, hidden and virgin tourist attraction of Odisha called Daringibadi, is more than just a hill station in Odisha state of eastern India. Situated at a height of 915 m in the Kandhmal district of the state, the place is gifted lavishly with natural bounties including pine groves, coffee gardens and beautiful valleys. Daringbadi is set in a beautiful spot surrounded by thick rain forests with wild animals, and is an ideal summer resort. During the winter sometimes it reported that, the temperature, goes below the freezing point and light snows have also been observed on serial occasion.

According to a report by Times of India, on 18^th Dec 2014, the mercury level dropped to minus point 5 degree Celsius at Daringbadi at 5.30 am which is said to be the lowest temperature of the season in the entire state of Odisha. This a virgin attraction, yet to be explored by tourists. While this place is frequented by many foreign tourists throughout the year, the spot is yet to fully known to the Indian tourists.

Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of Odisha holds Winter Festival (Sita Utsav) at Daringbadi every year in the end of December or beginning of January over 3 days to make the place popular for. The festival hosts a series of cultural events, like dance and musical extravaganza, an artists' camp, Kavi sammelan, with special focus on Kandhamal and its tribal cultural elements. Major state-run cultural organizations such as Lalit Kala Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi jointly hosts a series of programmes to make the place prominent on the tourism and cultural map of Odisha.

Attractions of Daringbadi

·         Hill View Point – The spot providing a vantage point to the visitor from where the whole of Darigbadi and its neighbourhood can be gazed. This is a must to be visited place while in Daringbadi.

·         Coffee plantation- There are two Coffee & Black Pepper plantations maintained by soil conservation/forest department of Daringbadi which are an ideal place to explore, experience and just a great picnic hotspot. Do not forget to take approval from the forest departments before venturing out the gardens.

·         Doluri River- Doluri river is full of small natural beauties with falls providing a mesmerizing views and scenic beauties.

·         Belghar - Internationally Declared Eco Village, Belghar holds a promise to satisfy its visitors. The small village located entirely on the hill top is surrounded with dense flora and is a definite place for tranquility. There are also opportunities for future gliding club due to its seven mountains with a decreasing height. Even elephants can also be seen on the way.

Belghar Sanctuary has thick tropical forests. The dense vegetation of the area is a host to a variety of flora and fauna. Wild elephants are found in bound in this area.

You will be taken inside for about 2/3km walk to witness the Bonda man & woman coming down from the forest side. It is being considered that at present Bondas is the most primitive tribe of India or otherwise known as the Nakate tribes of the mountain. 

·         Kotagarh Sanctuary- It is located in the Baliguda subdivision of Kandhamal district is rich in bio-diversity. Major wildlife species are tiger, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, peafowl, red jungle fowl and a variety of reptiles. The dense lush green forests with sylvan and serene picturesque beauty are the major attraction. A wooden bungalow at Belghar attracts many nature loving visitors. The area is still unexplored and virgin with natural sceneries and 80% tribal populace. The place is with a charming climate in the summer.

Best time and means to Travel

The best time to visit the place is summer (May - Sep), although it’s not at all a bad idea to experience the freezing temperature of the area during winter in the midst of deep green vegetation and local tribal cultures.

Rail

There are no rail lines in Daringbadi. The nearest railway station is Berhampur. It is 125 km from Berhampur and very well connected with all major towns of Orissa.

Taxi

The easiest way is to book a taxi /from Berhampur or other locations, we can assist you with transportation booking, just let us know by phone or better by e-mail. 

Bus

If you want to use public transport, local buses run daily between Berhampur and Daringbadi.

Distance to Daringbadi from Important Places

Bhubaneswar - 250 km, (takes 5.30 – 6.00 hours)

Berhampur - 125 km (takes 3.00 – 3.30 hours)

Gopalpur on sea - 140 km (takes 3.30 – 4.00 hours)

Taptapani - 110 km (takes 2.30 – 3.00 hours) 

Accommodations

There are not much accommodations available at this place, for being still an undeveloped and virgin attractions. Although the best and cheapest options are government provided facilities, but few private accommodations are also available.

1.      OTDC Hotel, Daringbadi

2.      PWD Bungalow, Executive Engineer (R&B) (Ph. 06846 – 243242)

3.      DEERS Eco Home

4.      Hotel Utopia, Daringbadi