Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 (UNI) The world-famous Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Angul district is set to create a new identity on the state’s tourism map, union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
During his visit to the sanctuary, on Wednesday Pradhan enjoyed the blue waters of the Mahanadi River and the scenic beauty of the Satkosia Gorge. Speaking to the media, he said the visit gave him a close experience of the region’s rare and pristine natural beauty.
He described Satkosia as not only important for Odisha but also one of India’s most unique biodiversity-rich regions. The dense forests, diverse wildlife, hills, and river confluences have immense potential to attract tourists from across the country and abroad, he added.
Pradhan said Satkosia is an ideal destination to promote the vision of “domestic tourism” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He noted that the central government has provided financial assistance to develop the region and upgrade this iconic tourist destination to global standards.
Emphasizing the role of tourism in driving positive social change, the union Minister said development efforts must balance environmental conservation with the creation of new livelihood opportunities for local youth and forest-dwelling communities.
He further announced that coordinated efforts by the Forest Department and the Tourism Department will be made to establish Satkosia as a world-class tourism destination. This initiative is expected to boost tourism, generate large-scale employment, and significantly improve the economic condition of the local population.
Pradhan also stressed that protecting the natural ecosystem of the vast Satkosia Gorge—spread across Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, and Boudh districts—will remain the top priority.
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