Odisha – Page 2 – आवारा मुसाफिर

Three new eco-tourist spots on anvil in Odisha

November 18, 20211204 Views

The Odisha government has decided to set up three new eco-tourist spots in the state and employ a community-based management (CBM) approach to operate them, as it has been successful in generating income for tribal families, an official release said on Thursday. Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, during a virtual meeting, asked the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation to acquire non-forest plots near popular ecotourism centres, and develop them into tourism and hospitality units. "The CBM has provided alternative and sustainable livelihood to many people who, otherwise, were dependent on forest. It has also empowered people and infused a sense of belongingness towards the forest and wildlife among them," he said at the meeting. Proposals were approved for ...

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Nests of endangered baya weaver birds spotted in Ganjam

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August 26, 2021386 Views

Bird watchers are delighted as they have spotted several newly-sprung, intricately-woven nests of the baya weaver in different trees near the mouth of the Rushikulya river in Odisha's Ganjam district. The helmet-shaped nests have been seen hanging from trees, including a palm tree. The nests are the indefatigable effort of the baya weavers, an endangered bird species, to protect the family from predators. "We have found over 100 such nests in a single palm tree at a farm field in Subalaya," said Rabindra Nath Sahu, the honorary wildlife warden for Ganjam. Representational image: Intricately weaven Baya nests. He and Magata Behera -- one of the members of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee in Puruna Bandha have recently sighted the nests while they conducted a surve...

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Entry to Gundicha temple now free

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February 19, 20211274 Views

Devotees will not have to pay to visit the Gundicha Temple here where Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra stay during the annual Rath Yatra, an official said on Friday. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to make it free for all devotees to visit Gundicha Tempe and other places like 'Narendra Puskarini' (sacred pond), 'Rohini Kunda' (a tank inside the Jagannath temple in Puri) and 'Koili Baikuntha' (the temple crematorium where wooden idols of trinity are buried on Nabakalebara year, the official said. The decision was taken at the SJTA management committee meeting on Thursday. Though the temple will lose an annual earning of about Rs 7 crore, the SJTA announced that the devotees will not pay any amount as an ent...

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Dolphin population in Chilika Lake rises to 156

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January 16, 20211462 Views

After emerging as the favourite destination of migratory birds, the Chilika lake in Odisha has also turned out to be a safe haven for rare Irrawaddy dolphins. This came to the light after the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) conducted an annual survey on the biodiversity of the lagoon, which is the largest lake along the east-coast of India. The population of dolphins has increased to 156 in 2020 against 150 in 2019, an official said. A pair of Irrawaddy Dolphins in Chilika lake The Irrawaddy dolphin is the flagship species inhabiting the Chilika Lake. The CDA in a statement said that the present distribution range of this species is only in Asia, from Chilika to Indonesia. Irrawaddy dolphins in India are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, ClTES (Appendix-l) a...

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17,000 devotees visit Jagannath temple on first day

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January 4, 2021752 Views

Jagannath Temple in Puri reopened for all devotees on Sunday after remaining closed for nine months due to the pandemic even as Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal preferred to have darshan of the deities from outside for not having the mandatory COVID-19 negative report for entry into the shrine. The governor, along with his family members and some staff, had to return to the state capital after having darshan of "Patitapaban" (the symbolic image of lord Jagannath seen from outside the temple) as they did not have the COVID-19 negative report, a senior official accompanying Lal said. Though there was no restriction on the entry of the governor, who was welcomed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Puri district administration, Lal volunteered not to go inside on his ...

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Lingaraj Temple reopens for devotees after nine months

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December 27, 2020445 Views

Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar reopened for devotees on Sunday after remaining closed for almost nine months due to COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. Servitors and their family members were allowed entry into the oldest shrine of the state capital on the first day. They will be allowed to pray inside the temple till December 31, while the general public from outside the state capital will be allowed from January 6. The residents of Bhubaneswar can have the darshan of the Lord from January 3. The 11th century Lingaraj temple is a unique place in India where both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped together, making it a "Hari-Har" peeth. !function(e,t,c,a){if(!e.fwn&&(a="fwn_script",n=e.fwn=function(){ n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.pu...

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Jagannath Temple reopens, public darshan from Jan 3

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December 23, 2020660 Views

The Shree Jagannath Temple here reopened for devotees on Wednesday after remaining closed for nine months in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The much-awaited 'darshan' of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, began at 7 am amid strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines for servitors and their family members only, officials said. The Temple remained closed since the middle of March due to the outbreak of the pandemic. This is for the first time in the history of the 12th century Lord Vishnu shrine here that the devotees were denied the opportunity for having 'darshan' of the deities, the officials said. "It was a matter of luck for any human being to have darshan of the deities in Jagannath dham. We are blessed to get the opportunity in the ...

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Puri Jagannath Temple likely to reopen ahead of New Year

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December 12, 20201268 Views

The Shree Jagannath Temple here is likely to throw open its gates to devotees before New Year after being closed for nine months due to COVID-19, the temple administration said on Saturday. The Shree Jagannath Temple Adminsitration (SJTA) chief administrator Krishan Kumar said the decision on reopening the temple was taken keeping in view the religious sentiments of the devotees and the COVID-19 protocol will be strictly observed when the 12th century shrine reopens. Jagannath Temple at Puri in January 2020. A meeting of temple servitors 'Chhatisa Nijog' was held and the SJTA will send its recommendations to the state government for the final approval to reopen the temple, he said. Kumar said that it is planned to reopen the temple on December 23 and the people of Puri will ge...

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Olive ridley turtles return to Odisha beach for nesting

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December 3, 2020408 Views

Pairs of olive ridley sea turtles have begun emerging on the swirling sea waters off Gahirmatha in Odisha, marking the commencement of the annual natural heritage of mass nesting, forest officials said on Thursday. Forest personnel on patrolling drives have sighted pairs of mating turtles. For undisturbed breeding of the aquatic animals, prohibition on sea fishing continues to remain in force in the marine sanctuary, they said. FILE PHOTO: mating turtles near Gahirmatha beach. Source: Twitter Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapada district is acclaimed as the world's largest-known nesting ground of these endangered marine species. Apart from Gahirmatha, these aquatic animals turn up at Rushikulya river mouth and Devi river mouth for mass nesting. "On the serene surface of sea waters, ...

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Migratory birds start arriving at Hirakud Dam Reservoir

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November 25, 2020597 Views

With the winter setting in, migratory birds have started arriving at the Hirakud Dam Reservoir in Odisha's Sambalpur district from across continents. Winged guests like Gull and Black Cormorant have been spotted by the forest officials at the Hirakud Dam Reservoir site recently, an official said. "Birds have already started flocking the reservoir for their winter sojourn. More number of birds of various species will arrive at the reservoir in next few days," said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Hirakud Wildlife Division, Pratap Kottapalli. A number of measures have been taken to ensure the safety and protection of the birds. Regular boat patrolling is being conducted to prevent poaching and hunting of the winged guests. Bird protection teams have already been deployed at zer...