The Odisha Forest Department has introduced strict regulations to control caravan tourism activities in eco-sensitive destinations across Odisha following the launch of advanced caravan tourism services earlier this year.
The initiative, being operated through the Ecotour Odisha portal for pre-registered and government-approved operators, aims to promote sustainable tourism while ensuring ecological conservation in protected forest and wildlife areas.
Caravan Tourism Expansion Under Eco-Tourism Initiative
Earlier this year, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the second phase of caravan tourism services under the Viability Gap Funding scheme in partnership with Sand Pebbles Tour and Travels.
The caravan vehicles are equipped with hotel-like facilities and are designed to promote tourism in offbeat destinations such as Hirakud and Chilika Lake.
Officials said the Forest Department has fixed a nightly parking charge of Rs 1,000 for caravan vehicles at designated eco-tourism locations. Additional charges for electricity, waste management, sewerage disposal, food, dormitory usage and recreational activities will be collected separately.
Revenue Sharing Model Introduced
According to the operational framework, revenue generated through caravan tourism will be distributed through a structured mechanism.
Eighty per cent of the revenue will be utilised for infrastructure maintenance under divisional forest officers.
Ten per cent will be allocated to local communities and Eco-Development Committees to support community participation and conservation-linked livelihood opportunities.
The remaining ten per cent will go to the ecotourism society corpus fund.
Strict Rules For Sanctuary And Forest Access
Deputy Conservator of Forests Vivek Kumar stated that designated caravan parks will feature only minimal eco-friendly infrastructure such as solar lighting, charging facilities and septic systems. Permanent construction activities will not be permitted inside these ecologically sensitive zones.
Officials said caravan parking spaces will be limited to only four or five vehicles at a time in protected areas including Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Similipal National Park, Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Mahendragiri, Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Deomali and Bhitarkanika National Park.
SOP Imposes Environmental Safeguards
Under the newly issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), caravan vehicles must follow prescribed speed limits and operate only within fixed time windows.
The rules strictly prohibit loud music, fireworks, generators and feeding of wild animals within eco-tourism zones.
Tourists have also been instructed to segregate waste, maintain low-intensity lighting and avoid any activity that may disturb wildlife habitats.
Importantly, the discharge of grey water or sewage into forest land or nearby water bodies has been completely banned.
The new regulations are aimed at ensuring that caravan tourism develops responsibly without affecting Odisha’s fragile forest ecosystems and biodiversity-rich destinations.
