IDelhi-headquartered IPE Global, a development consulting firm in South Asia, has been awarded the work for the preparation of an outline of Responsible Tourism Master Plan for the Chilika Lake and its catchment area under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) of Odisha. The contract, awarded by State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and Chilika Development Authority, will be implemented with an objective to promote Responsible Tourism in the state.
ICZMP is an initiative of SPMU under the Department of Environment, Government of Odisha, funded by The World Bank. The plan would also focus on conservation and optimum utilisation of natural resources in compliance with environmental/ecological laws and regulations.
“Chilika Lake is known for its outstanding natural, cultural and historical heritage. Through our efforts of framing a Tourism Master Plan project, we are aiming at giving a big boost to state tourism, employment generation and contribution to an all-encompassing economic growth of the state,” said Ashwajit Singh, Chairman and Managing Director – IPE Global.
An inception workshop on Tourism Master Plan for the Chilika Lake and its catchment was recently organised in Bhubaneswar. Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Odisha, had graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The exercise of framing a Tourism Master plan for Chilika Lake and its catchment area is being undertaken with the objective of conservation of ecological resources, promotion of sustainable use of the lake and its resource basin and appropriate economic activities to benefit the local communities.
IPE Global has been involved in project management, design and supervision activities supporting several state governments in sustainable and inclusive tourism development, capacity building, tourism strategy development, management of key natural and cultural heritage destinations, improved market connectivity, environmental planning of tourist places, development of tourism infrastructure and institutional strengthening of nodal government departments.