ODISHA
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Its area is 155845. 48 sq. km
The State is surrounded by Bay of Bengal on east. West Bengal
on North-East, Jharkhand on North, Madhya Pradesh on West
and Andhra Pradesh on south
Out of all rivers Mahanadi is the biggest one. It is originated
at Amarkantak plateu of Mahdhya Pradesh. The length of the
river is 858 km.
Besides Mahanadi, there are other rivers like Subamarekha,
Budhabalang, Baitarani, Brahmani, Rushikulya, Bansadhara
present in the states. There are two big lakes namely Chilika
and Anshupa in the state.
This plain has very fertile soil and so produces plenty of food
grains like rice, groundnut sugarcane etc.
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Nearly 32 per cent of the area of the state is now covered
with forest.
The forest of the state provides tree like Teak, Sal, Shisu,
Khaira, etc. besides bamboos in planty. Nearly eightly percent
of forest in the state is of deciduous type. This type of forest
provides many varieties of valuable tree for housing and
industry purposes. Besides this, forest also gives kenduleaves
in plenty for bidi industry.
Similipal in Mayurbhanj, Badrama in Sambalpur are famous
for tigers and other animals. Chilika is famous for its bird’s
sanctuary.
The minerals like Iron ore, Manganese, Chromite, Bauxite and
limestone’s are plentily available at different places of the
State. Besides these minerals Orissa has a large reserve of
coal at places like Angul, Jharsuguda etc.
Origins
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The term was first used in the years 1965 by Nick Hetzer.
The first defination came in 1983 by Mexican architect Héctor
Ceballos-Lascuráin; who defined it as
"That form of environmentally responsible tourism that involves travel
and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the object
of enjoying, admiring, and studying the nature (the scenery, wild
plants and animals), as well as any cultural aspect (both past and
present) found in these areas, through a process which promotes
conservation, has a low impact on the environment and on culture
and favors the active and socioeconomically beneficial involvement
of local communities."
According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established
by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism
is:[4]
"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment
and improves the well-being of local people.“
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Objectives
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Minimizing enviromental impacts
Respecting the host culture
Maximizing the benefits to local communities
Maximizing tourist satisfaction
Strengthening economy
Long term benefits to the local community and the local
enviroment.
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Regeneration
Employment
Improved social services
Research
Protection of Flora and fauna
Growth of species
Protection of wild life
Education
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Research and development
To tourists
Tti stakeholders like host community, professionals, NGOs,
governments etc.
Minimizing negative impact
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Littering
Erosion
Displacement of animals
Pollution
Poaching
Cultural erosion
Note: It represents around 15% of all tourism expenditure and growing at a rate of 5%
per year.
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Eco Lodges
Camping
Hiking
Bike riding
Boat rides
Safari
Bird Watching
Star Gazing
Wild life spotting
Adventure like
surfing, zipling,
zorbing, rock
climbing etc
CAMPING
BIRD WATCHING
Boat ride
Jungle Safari
Zorbing
Rock climbing
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Vast forest reserves
Unique water bodies
Flora, Fauna and Wildlife
Rural Life
Tribal Communities
Cultural Heritage
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Nearly 32 per cent of the area
of the state is now covered
with forest.
The forest of the state
provides tree like Teak, Sal,
Shisu, Khaira, etc. besides
bamboos in planty. Nearly
eightly percent of forest in the
state is of deciduous type.
This type of forest provides
many varieties of valuable tree
for housing and industry
purposes. Besides this, forest
also gives kendu leaves in
plenty for bidi industry.
Popular National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in
Odisha
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Chilika Lake. ...
Bhitarkanika National Park. ...
Chandaka Elephant Reserve. ...
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. ...
Nandankanan National Park. ...
Simlipal National Park. ...
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary. ...
Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary.
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There are 479 species of
birds, 86 species of
mammals, 19 species of
amphibians and 110
species of reptiles present
in Odisha.
The state is also an
important habitat for the
endangered olive ridley
turtles and Irrawaddy
dolphins.
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Odisha is a confluence of the Aryan, Dravidian and Adivasi cultures.
Ruled by various kings and dynasties, Odisha has acquired many a
traditions in its wake. Thus Odisha can best be defined through its
racial and cultural amalgamation that lives through its heritage.
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For a tourism aspect cultural heritage can be divided into
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Dance and music
Fairs and festivals
Art and paintings
Textiles and handlooms
Temple architecture
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Odissi Music is a classical form consisting of all the necessary
ingredients common to Hindustani and Karnatic Music.
The Odissi dance is evolved from the millennium old dance form
called Mahari that used to be performed at the temple of Lord
Jagannath at Puri by devadasi dancers called maharis.
Apart from the classical Odissi, Chaau is also a prominent dance
form in the world of Odisha music and dance. It is the dance of
warriors to the accompaniment of indigenous music instruments.
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There are festivals that are common, but the celebration remains
unique to a region. Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra are
observed with special gaiety and fervour at Puri although the lastmentioned one is celebrated at Baripada, Athagarh, Dhenkanal,
Koraput and other places even outside the state. Durga Puja is
observed throughout the state, more particularly at Cuttack. Kali
Puja or Diwali is celebrated in different parts of Odisha. Bali Yatra of
Cuttack on the full moon day in the month of Kartika reminds the
glory of Odishan traders in the long past.
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Pattachitra is predominantly icon painting. Some of the popular
themes of this religious art are The Badhia (a depiction of the temple
of Jagannath); Krishna Lila (an enactment of Jagannath as Lord
Krishna displaying his powers as a child); Dasabatara Patti (the ten
incarnations of Lord Vishnu); and Panchamukhi (a depiction of Lord
Ganesh as a five-headed deity).
The village of Pipili, Puri, is well known for its applique work, also
known as Chandua (Odia: ଚାନ୍ଦୁ ଆ Cānduā).
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Odisha has large concentration of tribal population in thecountry. Out of 427
Scheduled Tribes of the country, Odishahas 62 tribal communities who
constitute 27.08 percentof State’s population (2001).
The tribal communities livingin the State range from small communities like
Chenchu,Bonda, Juanga, Didayi, to large communities like Munda,Santalas,
Kondh, Oraon, Saora and Bhuyan.
Almost 44.21percent of the total land area of the State has
beenconstitutionally declared as Scheduled Area, which coversmost of the
districts except the coastal districts and fewin-land areas.
The districts largely dominated by ScheduledTribes are Malkangiri (58.51%),
Mayurbhanja (57.87%),Nawarangpur (55.26%), Rayagada (54.99%),
Sundargarh(50.74%), Koraput (50.67%), Kondhaland (50.13%),Keonjhar
(44.62%), Gajapati (47.88%), and Jharsuguda(33.31%) (1991 Census of India).
The tribal communitiesof the State can be categorised as hunter-gatherernomads; hunter-gatherer and shifting cultivators; simpleartisans; settled
agriculturists; industrial and urbanunskilled and semi-skilled workers
(Behura, 1990-93)
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Situated on the banks of the Mahanadi river, and adjoining the
Satkosia gorge, Muduligadia, a tiny hamlet in the Nayagarh district
with barely thirty-five households holds a unique distinction. In
2019, it became the first village in Odisha to attain selfsustainability with zero-waste and 100% eco-friendly initiatives of
livelihood.
One might find other eco-villages or experiential eco-resorts in
Odisha. But what keeps Muduligadia a class apart is that it was the
first ever hamlet to be remodelled into an eco-village exclusively by
the community members. Their hard work and dedication deserve
the sole credit for this incredible achievement.
Anshu Pragyan Das, the formal Divisional Forest Officer of Mahanadi
Wildlife division was instrumental in spearheading this transition.
Transforming a Community with Sustainability
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Living in the buffer zone of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Muduligadia’s residents have
traditionally engaged in gathering forest resources like honey and timber. They
used firewood for cooking and drew water from the Mahanadi river.
Without proper awareness about the environment and hygiene, the villagers used
to bathe and wash in the river, and use the same river water for drinking
purposes. Open defecation was rampant, often leading to disease breakouts in the
village.
Previously, household garbage would be thrown astray at the roadsides or even
into the Mahanadi river, leading to abject pollution. Now, the villagers themselves
have decided on a “No-Litter” policy and installed several common public dustbins
along the village roads. Household garbage is deposited every day in these
community dustbins from where recycling is also done. The villagers have also
pledged to make their village 100% plastic-free.
The project has also pushed them towards organic farming. Earlier, agriculture
was never of significant importance in Muduligadia, though some families
occasionally cultivated seasonal vegetables and grains — resorting to conventional
chemical farming for the lack of better understanding. Presently, the village
practises organic farming using cow dung manure.
“Our lives have improved beyond measure”
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If you are a tourist strolling through the lanes of Muduligadia, you will be
mesmerised by the intricate paintings and motifs on the walls of the village
homes. While making their abode eco-friendly, the villagers have also
beautifully showcased their traditional art to the world, by decorating the
outer walls of their thatched mud huts.
They have also decorated the village roads by planting more trees and
replacing weeds with lush, green grass. A common puja place for the entire
village has also been set up, overlooking the foothills of Satkosia.
“Eco-tourism improved our lives beyond measure,” expresses Prakash
Behera, a resident of Muduligadia. “Last year, the village was frequented by
tourists from across the world and they appreciated the model of
sustainability. Most of us earned reasonably well,” he shares, adding that due
to the Coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented ban on tourism, they
are currently living in uncertainty, and waiting for tourists to set foot in the
hamlet once again.
Presentation by
Bhabatosh Dehury