Kendrapara, Mar 25: Eco tourism complex built at a cost of Rs 85 lakh near Bhitarkanika National Park has been put a stop by the Forest department on charges of grossly misusing the government funds, all thanks to constant querying by an RTI activist who had filed for an RTI inquiry. The partially built tourist complex, the construction quality of which was said to be unique will never open for public utility. This has led one to believe that huge sum has been recklessly spent by the concerned authorities. Now question arises that how the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) permit to construct the complex without seeking clearance from the State Forest Department. The partially built complex is situated just a bit away from the Park boundary. The Forest department has stalled the project as it comes under eco-sensitive zone in the wildlife sanctuary. This was informed by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rajnagar Mangrove (forest) Department, Bimal Prasanna Acharya. The area where the resort is being constructed is an eco sensitive zone. Permanent constructions will affect the ecological sensitivity of the region where there are estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, birds and other animals, he further stated. District Tourists Officer, Bijoy Mahanty said that OTDC had to stop the project as necessary permission from the Forest department to run a commercial tourism complex as per Section 28 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 had not been asked. Deputy executive engineer of OTDC, Sishir Ranjan Prusti said the same that they were directed by the Forest department to stop construction.
