Bhubaneswar: A fire broke out in the Talabania region of the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary near Puri on Friday night, scorching a section of dry forest and prompting an immediate response from fire and forest officials concerned about the safety of wildlife in the area. The blaze spread through dry vegetation within the sanctuary, an ecologically…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tourism sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with more than 56 lakh tourists visiting the state between January and May 2026. The surge in arrivals reflects the state’s expanding appeal as it strengthens its position as one of India’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Leading the growth is the temple town of Puri, which registered a…
BHUBANESWAR: In a first for Odisha, researchers will cultivate a range of exotic and colourful coconut varieties sourced from different parts of the world as part of a scientific study aimed at evaluating their suitability for the state’s climatic conditions. The research initiative is being undertaken by the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and…
Bhubaneswar: Renovation and beautification works at the Gundicha Temple are progressing rapidly, with the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) aiming to complete all restoration projects before the upcoming Ratha Yatra. SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee reviewed the ongoing development works at the temple premises along with senior officials on Tuesday. The team inspected various infrastructure…
BHUBANESWAR: As the scorching summer gradually gives way to the monsoon, Odisha is preparing for two of its most cherished cultural celebrations—Raja Parba and Ratha Yatra—marking the beginning of what many consider the state’s most vibrant and festive period of the year. The season begins with the celebration of Raja Parba, a unique festival that…
Bhubaneswar: Authorities at Nandankanan Zoological Park and Sambalpur Zoo have introduced extensive summer heat mitigation measures to protect animals and birds from rising temperatures and severe heat wave conditions across Odisha. Zoo officials said special arrangements have been made to ensure animal comfort and prevent heat-related stress during the peak summer season. As part of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified efforts to promote rural and experiential tourism through a large-scale curated homestay initiative aimed at generating local livelihoods and offering tourists authentic cultural immersion experiences across the state. Under the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025, the Tourism Department has identified 61 gram panchayats across 19 districts for the development of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Hirakud region into a major tourism hub featuring floatels, cruise tourism, ropeways, eco-resorts, waterfront attractions, and adventure tourism facilities across Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts. The large-scale initiative aims to develop the Hirakud belt as an integrated and sustainable tourism destination centered on nature,…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest department has launched caravan tourism facilities at several prominent eco-tourism destinations across the state in a move aimed at promoting sustainable travel while preserving ecological balance. Under the initiative, caravan tourism will be introduced at seven eco-tourism sites, including the Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park, two of the state’s…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated plans to establish modern Handloom Hubs and Apparel Parks in multiple districts to strengthen the state’s traditional weaving sector through advanced technology, improved infrastructure, and enhanced market access. As part of the initiative, dedicated projects are being developed in Cuttack, Bargarh, and Jajpur districts with the aim of transforming…