The Rise of Wetland Tourism in Odisha

Odisha is blessed in abundance with natural beauty, wildlife, wetlands, marine life and more. With eco-tourism taking a boost in the state, the mangroves in Bhitarkanika (the two Oriya words – ‘Bhitar’ means inside and ‘Kanika’ means outstanding beauty) and Chilika are soon becoming tourist hotspots.

What are Ramsar Sites

Ramsar sites were formed after the Convention on Wetlands held in Ramsar, an Iranian city in 1971 with the aim of protecting important wetlands worldwide. Ramsar helps to identify wetlands that are of International importance. These wetlands include swamps, marshes, billabongs, lakes, salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, fens, peat bogs, or bodies of water - whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary. Water within these can be static, free flowing, fresh, brackish or saline too. There are more than 2,400 Ramsar sites across the globe, at present, with India having 42 of them.

Ecological benefits of wetlands

Wetlands not only improve water quality by filtration but also air quality of the area. Ansupa, Odisha’s largest natural freshwater lake for example, with its recent restoration saw an increased space for fishing for the locals and opened up many other livelihood opportunities around the place. Chilika, spread across 64kms, and Bhitarkanika around 672 sq kms, were instrumental in preventing a major cyclone back in 1999 and continue to help keep the local ecosystem balanced.

Rise in Tourism

With spectacular calmness, scenic beauty and forest coverage these marshy waters become birding paradise in winter and have been drawing tourists from all across India. Mangalajodi also represents one of its kind ecosystems, whose protection is epitomized by a sustainable lifestyle that is at the brink of extinction in urban settings. The whole of Mangalajodi Ecotourism today aims to conserve its wetland ecosystem and its avifauna.

The wetlands have seen a facelift with facilities like eco parks, jetties, floating restaurants, cottages, tented accommodation coming up. Apart from Mangalajodi and Nalaban (with limited entry for tourists), other places of attraction where tourism sees a rush are Rambha, Barkul, Rajhans (also limited entry for tourists), Kalijai Island, etc. By protecting, reconnecting and restoring the life in and around these wetlands it also helping to give a paradigm shift in the way communities world over relate to wetlands.

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