By D N Singh
Koraput has topography,natural beauty and cultural wealth similar to Araku valley of Andhra Pradesh, and enjoys good rail connectivity and vista dome coaches on the Koraput-Rayagada railway line but it lags behind.
The misty mornings, when the sun flip-flops through the hazy horizons, the hilly tracks flanked by thick foliage, the dawns of Koraput offers the looks of a rendezvous over looked by majestic hills.
The hills dotted by aquifiers, several springs and dales meandring through the undulated foothills, Koraput is a paradise in itself.
Moving on the hills, with occasional tryst with precipitous down-hills along, the valleys showcase a spectacle of nature that is so gorgeous.
Even in the rains, when the farmers with head-gears made of dry leaves, dressed in colourful outfits bend down on the fields paint a picture nothing less than a picture-post card.
What lacks Koraput is the required amount of publicity and stimulus for promotion.
And on that note, the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an Odia, has raised his concern for uptik the tourism potential of this hilly district soon.
Tourist can enjoy the historical sites at Jeypore city, marvel at Duduma waterfalls, boating at Kolab dam, trek and camp at Deomali and pray at Jaganath temple in koraput.
But While Araku valley tourism circuit is well developed and draw tourists from Vizag and nearby areas Koraput has not been able to capitalise on huge tourist in catchment area and urged the Union Tourism and Culture Minister to intervene personally to sanction a special package for Koraput.
In a letter to Reddy, the Union Education Minister said there is massive untapped potential of the tourism sector in Koraput and sought the personal intervention of Union Tourism and Culture Minister for sanctioning a special package for Koraput.
