Tourists return to picturesque Koraput

Bhubaneswar: Known in Odisha as paradise on the earth, the picturesque Koraput district has started witnessing steady increase in the inflow of tourists, both domestic and foreign,  following a decline in Maoist activities. Since 2015, there has been absolutely no Maoist activity in Koraput which was once hotbed of the rebels.

While 5.69 lakh domestic and 554 foreign tourists visited the district in 2012, the number of domestic and foreign tourists increased in 2014 to 5.86 lakh and 1084, respectively.

The year 2014 witnessed a significant jump in the number of domestic tourists. At least 8.65 lakh tourists thronged various places. Similarly, the year also saw a slight increase in foreign tourists. As many as 1169 foreign tourists, mostly those who are interested in tribal and eco-tourism, visited the district.

Covered with hills, lush green forests, fountains and old temples, Koraput also boasts of having 48 of India’s 62 ethnic tribal communities, including Paraja, Didayi, Koya, Soura, Bonda, Lanjia Soura and Gadhva.

According to local tourist office sources, - most of the foreign tourists prefer to visit Bonda Hills located in present Malkangiri district, a part of the greater Koraput. The primitive lifestyle of the Bondas, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, has always fascinated researchers to study their life and culture.

The Bondas still refuse to accept modern life and continue with their tradition of remaining half-clad and hunting in the wild to meet their food requirements.

The major attractions for tourists in the undivided Koraput district (present Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts) are Jagannath temple, Gupteswar temple near Baipariguda, Tribal Culture and Research Centre in Koraput town, Jagannath Sagar and Jain Swetambar temple at Jeypore, Machhkund waterfall at Duduma, Nageswari Cave and Nandapur.

The journey by train on the 173-km Koraput and Rayagada route is an added attraction for tourists. It is one of the picturesque routes of the Indian Railways charecterised by hills and thick forests.

This route has as many 36 tunnels and numerous viaducts. Kolab reservoir, Deomali Hills, Laxmipur-Pottangi hill ranges and Kashipur-Tikiri-Rayagada hill ranges, Niyamgiri hill ranges offer an ideal climate for tourists for all-weather trips.

Thick forests in Koraput cast a spell on the tourists who love unwind themselves in cradle of the nature.