Sahana, a potential tourist destination still unexplored by the Orissa government

By-Manish Kumar

Bhubaneswar, April 26: A long stretch of lake, complimenting mangrove plants on the banks, an array of red crabs on the lake side, a sea mouth and a wide stretch of beach reckon the elegant Sahana lake situated near Astarang in the Puri district, around 80 kms away from the state capital.

However despite the picturesque landscape carved out by the different natural resources and the perfect blend of the diverse flora and fauna, the site still lies undiscovered by the state tourism department. The beautiful tourist site which many claim could be a great alternative to Chilika and Bhitarkanika is still not declared as a potential tourist site by the state tourism department.

However undeterred by the apathy of the tourism department, for few of the people from the state who are versed with the virgin site, the venue offers a wide array of eye-catching alluring glimpses of the nature amid tranquility.

The site is however mostly ventured by the fishermen with their boats spreading their nets to catch fish for selling in the nearby markets. Only a couple of boats offer a ride to the site, which however still remains mostly untouched from the urban population due to non proximity of a highway nearby and its location which is now mostly debarred from a developed public transportation.

According to sources in the state tourism department a few members from the department has visited the site and taken stock of the situation, however not much have been done by the department to utilize the destination.

An official from the tourism department who visited the site said, “This has the potential to become a major tourist destination. This also offers the facility of a boat ride along the long stretch of the water body and also mangrove plants on the banks. This could be an alternative to Bhitarkanika minus crocodiles.”

However, the terrain en route to the destination from the nearby village could not be an ideal one for the vehicles to venture into. Lack of concrete roads to the site has barred the site from much human interface till now. Only a narrow kaccha road with trees along the road welcomes the few tourists who go there. However, in rainy season the roads are almost redundant for motor vehicles.

People who have been to the place still have their memories bound to their heart. Anjana Kalyani, a resident of Bhubaneswar said, “This is one of the best sites I have ever seen. It is still a virgin site as not many people have come here, so the natural beauty is intact here. However some issues like lack of a concrete road and transportation are still issues barring the exposure. I hope the government takes some steps to promote the site.”