To
Sri Subodk Kant Sahay
Honourable Union Minister of Tourism
Govt. of India, New Delhi
CC
The Prime Minister of India
Chief Minister of Odisha
Orissa Tourism Department
Media
Dear Honorable Sri Sahaya,
KBK, specially Kalahandi and Nuapada region, in Orissa has lots of untapped tourism potential which to catalyze development of this backward pocket in India. Despite its richness this region has been completely neglected in torism map in Orissa as well as in the national level.
Kalahandi or ‘Crucible of Art’ is the southwestern district of Orissa province. It is situated in between 190 8’ N and 200 25’ N Latitude and 820 32’ E and 830 47’E Longitude. It is divided into two unequal divisions, the plan land and the high mountainous regions, popularly known as Dongarla. The Tel and the Indravati are the mighty rivers of this landmass. Important feeders such as the Rahul, Utei, Ret, Sagada, and Hati flow into the district and they all join with the Tel on its right bank. Kalahandi had various identities in different historical epochs, such as Atavi, Indravana, Kantara, Mahavana, Kamala-Mandala and Karunda etc. It is only after the merger of Karunda State with the Orissa Province in 1948, the present designation Kalahandi was bestowed on this landmass and the region now forms a district in the Orissa state. Primitive tribes such as the Konds, Gonds, Saura, Gadava and Brinjal etc have been inhabited in this district since time immemorial.
The history of this region is very rich and goes back to the primitive period where a well-civilized, urbanized and cultured people inhabited on this land mass around 2000 years ago. World's largest celt of Stone Age and largest cemetery of megalithic age have been discovered in Kalahandi and Asurgarh was one of the oldest metropolises in India. Temple of Goddess Stambeswari at Asurgarh, built during 500 AD, is a perfect example where the first brick Temple in Eastern India was built. Sanskritization in Odisha as first started from this ancient Mahakantara region. Earliest flat-roofed stone temple of Odisha was built at Mohangiri during 600 AD. Temple architecture achieved perfection at Belkhandi in Kalahandi and then traversed to Ekamra, present Bhubaneswar, along with the political expansion of the Somavamsis during the 1000–1100 AD. This region is equally famous for tribal dance, music, Ghumura, wild life, tribal culture, natural beauty, waterfalls, etc.
However, since decades there are little by state and Central Government to develop tourism spots in this region. Some of the important tourist spots that need urgent attention are:
Gudahandi in Kalahandi:
Gudahandi is rich in pre-historic cave painting. The caves are of volcanic rock and are situated in the Sahajkhol Reserve forest. Three hills of volcanic rock surround the site in the shape of bowl which is akin to the molasses pot and thereby justifying the name Gudahandi. Large varieties of species carnivorous and herbivorous are spotted with in the deciduous forest of Sahajkhol. Dokrichanchara has a beautiful waterfall adjacent to Gudahandi.
Requirements:
1. A rope way (cable car) from Dokrichanchara to Gudahandi as the mountainous route is rough and in worst condition. This route can also be developed as a suitable hiking site.
2. A Panthanivas is required at Dokrichanchara
3. A botanical garden near Gudahandi
4. A small zoological park near Gudahandi
5. The roads connecting Dokrichanchara with SH52 (via Dharamgarh) and Gudahandi with NH210 (via Ampani) need development to state highway all weather roads.
6. Construction of Safety Bar for Dokrichanchara water fall.
7. Last but not the least establishment of an Open Museum - Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manava Sangrahalaya [IGRMS].
Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi
It has a beautiful waterfall, mountain and tea plantation. The region used to be called Kashmir of Western Orissa.
Requirements:
1. Construction of Safety Bar for the various water falls
2. A boating centre through construction of a water reservoir
3. Creation of park & gardens on the denuded flat hill tops
4. Construction of Tourist Cottages at Surajgad of Th.Rampur where the sun shine falls around 12 noon and the road connecting Thuamul Rampur to Junagarh via Dasigaon need to be constructed and made all weather state highways.
5. Food Park/ Local Food
Ampani in Kalahandi
Ampani hill ranges present a panoramic view of nature. A frolicking valley called "Haladigundi" in this hill range exhibits some peculiar features due to the reflected rays on the Sun. In the morning and evening, the objects of vision appear yellow. The whole area abounds in spotted deer, Sambar and Black Panthers who can be seen at the Behera reservoir. It has a beautiful waterfall name as Karaka.
Requirement:
1. Construction of Safety Bar for Karkara water fall
2. A Panthanivas is required at Ampani
3. The road from Ampani to Mukhiguda (Indravati dam) needs development.
4. The road connecting Gudahandi with NH210 (via Ampani) need development to state highway all weather roads.
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary and Phurli Jharan Water Fall in Kalahandi
This small but beautiful sanctuary is located close to and about 12 km. from the district town of Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district covering a dense patch of lush green dry deciduous forest.A beautiful waterfall near this river on the outskirts of this sanctuary called Phulljharan has been developed as a picnic spot for the local visitors and draws large number of visitors from far of places. The undulated topography of the sanctuary, with hills, valley, perennial streams and deep water pools give it an unique charm. This sanctuary is rich in wildlife such as tiger, leopard, gaur, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, mouse deer, a wide variety of birds and reptiles.
Requirements:
1. A Zoological park in Karlapat
2. Construction of Tourist Cottage
3. Though it is connected well with Bhawanipatna, roads connecting Karlapat with Jungarh and Rayagada are important for tourists. The roads from Karlapat Kiapadar to Jakaypur and Karlapat Kiapadar to Jungarh via Jilingdara need development to state highway all weather roads.
4. Construction of Safety Bar at Phurli Jharan water fall
5. Construction of Tourist Cottage.
Patora in Nuapada
It has beautiful Rajeev Udyan.
Requirement:
1. A Panthanivas is required at Patora
2. The road from Patora to Nuapada
3. Construction of Safety Bar for Karkara water fall
Patalganga and Budhikomna in Nuapada
Patalganga is a nice spot in the bosom of nature with a perennial spring, the water of which is considered as sacred as that of the holy Ganges. Local people perform their obsequies in the down stream. Legend would have it that Rama, Laxman and Sita visited the spot during their exile where Sita felt thirsty. Laxman pierced the ground with his arrow occasioning the birth of the spring. On the day of solar eclipse and lunar eclipse, people here gather in large number to take their bath in the holy water.
Survived Budhikomna brick temple [ 11th century AD] is a rare monuments of temple architecture in eastern India.
Requirement:
1. A Panthanivas is required at Patalganga
2. The road from Patalganga to Nilji and Sinapali need to be improved.
Sunabeda Sanctuary in Nuapada
Sunabeda has been declared as wild life sanctuary and tiger reserve.
Requirement:
1. Construction of Safety Bar for Godhus, Beniadhus and Kharaldhus water falls.
2. The road from Sunabeda to Nuapada needs improvement
CULTURAL TOURISM
Mohangiri in Kalahandi
Mohangiri village is near a hill stream called Kali Ganga. A dilapidated Siva Temple stands on the Bank of the stream. An early phase of flat roofed temple was constructed at Mohangiri by 6th century AD, which has been restored to its original shape by the State Archaeology during 1998. There are a few short epigraphic records on its walls and pillars.
Requirement:
1. The road from Mohangiri to NH217 (M. Rampur) should be improved.
2. A Panthanivas is required at Mohangiri
3. A cultural village for Kutia Kondhs should be developed adjacent to the temple.
Tribal Cultural Village at Niyamgiri, Kalahandi
Justification:
Tribal village will restore indigenous tribal culture, life, dance, music, weapons and social atmosphere in the foothill of Niyamgiri which is famous for its bauxite deposits
Archaeological Park at Asurgarh [Narla] [Under Protection of ASI] - An ancient Metropolitan centre of India
Justification:
Kalahandi region has a rich and great history. The history of the region goes back to 2000 to 5000 years ago when a well civilized, urbanized and cultured people inhabited this land mass. The fort of Asurgarh is 12 h, inner core and the fortified walls are 11 m’ x 7 m’ in height and width along with the moat whose width remains 36 m’ at present. It is a metropolitan centre in ancient India and is contemporary of Sisupalgarh Ahicchatra, Atranjikhera, Taxila and Mathura etc. Trial excavation conducted during 1973 unveiled its chronology from 3rd century BC to 5th century AD. Therefore, a detailed archaeological work is required for preservation of one of the ancient capital city of the sub - continent - Asurgarh [ Narla], Dist – Kalahandi.Orissa. The oldest fortified city can be developed into an Archaeological park and have it woven among the other tourist places of Orissa. The project may include the followings -
1. Setting of an Archaeological Museum
2. Boating centre on the Asursagr [200 acres of water reservoir]
3. Creation of parks around the fort,, light & sound system,
4. Tourist Guest House,
5. Road, Plantation, etc.
OTHER POTENTIALITIES
Creation of an Archaeological Corridor and there by the development of Golden Tourist Circle in Kalahandi:
From the Rahul river up to the Sandol River extending to the right bank of the Tel river [ancient Telavaha] a large number of settlements from Neolithic to Post-Neolithic are documented. Major archaeological sites [ ancient town and City] like Mohangiri,[Early Medieval] Budigarh,[Town] Urlukupagarh [Town] Kharligarh [ City], Godavela [ Semi – urban] Terasingha [urban] Asurgarh [Narla] [City] Belkhandi [ early Medieval town] Amath [ Early Medieval town] locates within the Rahul – Sandol river valley. Thus the proposals –
1. Development of Communication – Road
2. Preservation of the site
Development of Roads in Golden Tourist Circles
Bhawanipatna (Manikeswar Temple, Palace etc) – Junagarh (Fort, Lankeswari, historical town) – Dharamgarh (Bhim Khoj, temple)- Dokrichanchara Gudahandi (Waterfall, nature, prehistoric painting, cage) – Ampani (Nature, waterfall, temple) – Mukhiguda (Indravati dam, Water game, Power plant and nature) – Thuamul Rampur (tea plantation, waterfall, temple) – Karlapat (wild life) – Phurli Jharan (water fall) – Bhawanipatna (destination)
Development for Golden Tourist Circle in Nuapada-Kalahandi:
Bhawanipatna – Khariar - Nuapada – Sunabeda – Budhikomna – Patalganga – Sinapalit –Dharamgarh – Jungarh – Bhawanipatna.
Requirements:
1. Setting up of a Tourist Office of the Centrla Government at these two district headquarters.
2. Tourist Guest House / Panthanivas etc.
3. Development of Rail Communication
4. Development of Utkela Air traffic
Kalahandi Hat [Market] at Bhawanipatna
Kalahandi is well known for handicrafts and gemstones. To show case handicrafts from KBK, Kandhamal region,a Hat [ market centre]t can be established at Bhawanipatna.
Justification
1. Kalahandi Utsav organized every year by the District council of Culture at Bhawanipatna has been attended by more than thirty thousand peoples from outside Kalahandi and the foreign Tourists consecutively for three days.
2. Chhatar Yatra is another festive occasion of Bhawanipatna and in every year nearly twenty thousand devotees thronged into Bhawanipatna on the occasion.
Establishment of a Branch Campus of Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management [ IITTM] at Bhawanipatna.
Justifications:
1. To train human resources in Tourism sector of KBK region.
2. At present, the location of such Institution at metro cannot benefit to the people of semi – urban or urban locality like Bhawanipatna, Dist – Kalahandi, situated at far away from metropolitan centre like Banglore/ Delhi.
3. Kalahandi – Nuapada in general and KBK region in particular is the poverty stricken area and the students cannot opt for training/ education facility available at the Metros like Banglore / Delhi / Bhubaneswar etc.
4. KBK has Tourism potentiality which has been overlooked by the Governments since last sixty years.
5. Unless Man power is trained / educated, Tourism Industry cannot strive in this backward region.
6. Huge acres of Government lands are available at Jaring – Bhawanipatna to house the IITTM.
7. Bhawanipatna is located at the centre of the KBK region and is well connected by NH, SH and Rail. Utkela Air Traffic is just 12 KM from Bhawanipatna.
Anticipating your kind action in this matter
Thank you and best regards
Digambara Patra
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