Bhubaneswar: Shri Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, District Collector of Koraput made an impressive virtual presentation, at the All Secretaries Meet, which served as a comprehensive roadmap for the district’s evolution under the Viksit Odisha framework. Titled Koraput Sparks X, the initiative identifies twenty-five specific interventions designed to modernize the district’s economy while preserving its unique cultural and ecological heritage.
Central to the presentation was the transformation of the primary sector. In agriculture and animal husbandry, Collector Shri Mahajan detailed strategies to move beyond subsistence farming by introducing high-yield varieties and climate-resilient practices. A major focus was placed on spice production, specifically capitalizing on the district’s reputation for high-quality ginger and turmeric. By establishing better processing units and market links, the initiative aims to ensure that local farmers capture a larger share of the value chain.
The presentation also underscored the expansion of fisheries and the revitalization of the textile industry. For textiles, the focus is on supporting traditional weavers with better technology and design interventions to make Koraput’s handloom products competitive in national markets. These steps are part of a broader effort to create diverse livelihood opportunities that reduce dependency on any single sector.
Infrastructure and connectivity were highlighted as the primary catalysts for this growth. The Collector emphasized the strategic importance of the Jeypore Airport in opening the region to investors and high-end tourists. This physical connectivity is being matched by social infrastructure, most notably through the implementation of mega drinking water projects intended to provide piped water access to even the most remote hilly terrains of the district.
Tourism and industrialization formed the final pillars of the Koraput Sparks X strategy. Shri Mahajan discussed leveraging the Parab festival—a celebration of tribal culture and heritage—to position Koraput as a major destination on the global tourism map. He argued that cultural tourism provides a sustainable revenue model that benefits local communities directly.
Simultaneously, the presentation addressed the acceleration of industrial growth, focusing on creating a business-friendly environment that attracts investment in food processing and manufacturing without compromising the district’s environmental integrity. By integrating these twenty-five steps, the presentation projected a future where Koraput transitions from a resource-rich district to an economically vibrant and self-sustaining hub.