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Pradhan Harps On Hirakud Tourism

Sambalpur: Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has harped on Integrated Development of Hirakud Reservoir Area marks the onset of ideation for a transformative journey towards sustainable tourism and collaborative innovation between stakeholders.

Union Minister was addressing the Workshop on the Integrated Development of the Hirakud Reservoir Area on 22 January here.

Senior Lawmaker of Sambalpur Jayanarayan Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism V. Vidyavathi, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Secretary Ministry of Tourism Suman Billa, Additional Chief Secretary Government of Gujarat and Chairman SoUADTGA Mukesh Puri Secretary Tourism Odisha Government, Balwant Singh, Director Tourism, Samarth Verma graced the occasion.

IGP Northern Range, Himanshu Kumar Lal, Senior officials, industry experts, and guests attended the Workshop. Their presence underscored the collaborative intent behind this initiative and provided valuable direction for the discussions.

The Eco Retreat Hirakud served as the ideal venue for this exchange of ideas, with its tranquil setting reflecting the harmony between nature and development that the initiative aims to achieve.

A series of immersive experiences were designed to provide participants with firsthand insights into the region’s potential. A jungle safari through Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary showcased the area’s unparalleled biodiversity, offering a glimpse of how eco-tourism could thrive here while preserving the fragile ecosystem.

 The aerial tour of the Hirakud Reservoir underscored the scale and majesty of the dam, revealing opportunities for water-based tourism and adventure activities. These experiences set the tone for the day’s discussions, grounding ambitious plans in the reality of what Hirakud has to offer.

The primary focus of the workshop has been on valuing and conserving Hirakud’s rich resources—its expansive reservoir, thriving wildlife, and cultural vibrancy— that can be responsibly leveraged for tourism. Participants engaged in discussions centred on ideation on Special Tourism Zone (STZ) for the area, which would integrate elements of infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.

The emphasis on a holistic approach ensures that tourism development in Hirakud will boost Odisha’s tourism appeal and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.

Smt. Vidyavathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, further highlighted how such initiatives could position Odisha as a leader in sustainable tourism, blending natural beauty with innovative infrastructure.

The workshop’s discussions were deeply rooted in three core objectives of fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract investments and drive innovation while preserving the ecological and cultural fabric of Hirakud.

 It also intended to curate actionable strategies for a roadmap that aligns with the broader vision for the region’s development focusing on creating long-term impact.