Odisha government has given a proposal to the UNESCO to include Chilika, Bhitar Kanika National Park and the Ekaram khetra in the old capital city in the list of world heritage sites.Tourism Secretary A K Padhee told newspersons here that he was hopeful of inclusion of Bhitar Kanika National Park and the Chilika lake in the world heritage site list.
The Tourism Secretary said this while speaking at a workshop organised by IPE Global in collaboration with the Chilika Development Authority to interact with the stake holders to chalk out a tourism master plan for the Chilika lake and its catchment areas under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan.Mr Padhee said all the three sites were now in the Temporary list of heritage list of the UNESCO.
So far, the Sun Temple in Konark is the only monument in the state to find a place in the UNESCO world heritage site list.He said Odisha has tremendous potential for the development of tourism which could give a boost to economy and contribute for the socio-economic development of people through sustained development.