Safety plans, feasibility study at 24 sites for water sports to help boost tourism

Bhubaneswar: The tourism department has roped in the Goa-based National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) to carry out a feasibility study in water bodies across Odisha and prepare safety management plans for water sports activities.The initiative aims to assess the viability of introducing water sports facilities while ensuring tourist safety and sustainable management of the sites.Tourism director Deepankar Mohapatra said 24 water bodies spread across several districts have been identified for the feasibility study in the first phase. The proposal includes preparation of detailed safety management plans for rivers, reservoirs, dams, beaches and backwaters identified for potential adventure and recreational tourism activities.The identified locations include prominent coastal destinations such as Puri beach, Chandrabhaga beach, Gopalpur beach, Chandipur beach and Paradip beach, besides inland water bodies like Bhimkund in Keonjhar, Indravati reservoir in Kalahandi, the Satkosia riverfront in Nayagarh and the Rushikulya estuary (below the bridge) in Ganjam.Puri district has the highest number of selected locations, including beaches and backwater stretches such as Ramachandi jetty, Balighai beach and Rajhans Island. The department has asked the institute to begin the feasibility assessment and submit the requisite plans at the earliest.Officials said the studies will help determine the usable stretches for water sports activities and identify safety protocol, infrastructure requirements and tourism potential before projects are taken up for implementation.The initiative is expected to strengthen the state’s coastal and eco-tourism sectors and create new tourism circuits centred around adventure and water-based recreational activities, officials added.