Odisha: Greenwashing or Conservation? Excess Eco-tourism a Threat to Biodiversity

Odisha is home to about 19 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks, covering significant protected areas for biodiversity conservation. These sanctuaries, along with the national parks, are managed to protect diverse ecosystems, including mangroves, coastal habitats for Olive Ridley turtles, and forests harbouring elephants and tigers

Odisha features over 40-45 community-managed eco-tourism destinations, including numerous nature camps located within wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, and national parks. These spots are designed for sustainable travel, offering accommodation managed by local communities in areas, such as Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, and Debrigarh.

When ecotourism spots outnumber strictly protected wildlife sanctuaries, the resulting over-tourism causes habitat degradation, disrupts wildlife behaviour, and threatens biodiversity. This imbalance leads to wildlife displacement, reduced breeding rates, increased pollution, and the replacement of natural ecosystems with infrastructure

Noticeable behavioural disruptions: Increased tourist activity leads to animals abandoning preferred habitats, changing their activity patterns (e.g., less daytime activity), and reduced mating success.

Habitat fragmentation: “Development of roads, hotels, and tourist spots reduces protected corridors, leading to soil erosion, fire hazards, and accumulation of waste”. Biswajit Mohanty, an environmental activist, says.

Animals become more susceptible to predators due to stress or forced migration, and there is a heightened risk of transmitting diseases from humans to wildlife.

Is that ‘Greenwashing’?

“Often, excessive eco-tourism leads to "greenwashing," where local environments are exploited for financial gains that leak out to large corporations rather than benefiting local conservation”, Mohanty told this reporter.

The priority shifts from biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection toward maximising tourist revenue, reducing the land available for natural wildlife habits

Deras, located within the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary near Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital city, is a premier eco-tourism destination known for its reservoir, dense bamboo forests, and elephant population. The key attractions include AC nature camp stays, boating, jungle safaris, trekking, and birdwatching, offering a tranquil nature escape near the city 

The Bhitarkanika National Park features several key eco-tourism spots and nature camps managed by the Odisha Forest Department. The core areas include Dangamal, Gupti, Habalikhati, a Mangrove Retreat (located near Khola), which serve as primary hubs for booking, nature camps, and boating access to the mangrove creeks and birding watching.

Dangamal is a primary eco-tourism spot and nature camp located inside the mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika National Park, acting as a key centre for wildlife conservation and tourism. Situated along the riverbank in the Kendrapara district, it is known for its salt-water crocodile breeding and interpretation centre, managed by the Odisha Forest Department.  

On the vastness of Dangamal, the entire expanse has a rich deposit of biomass made richer with a salty surface that is a delicacy for the deer and wild boars who throng the areas after sun-set to feast on the biomass.

But, of late, small constructions have been made, one does not know by whose wisdom, for accommodation for visitors, which virtually encroach this natural mass. On top of that, increasing footfalls of visitors has damaged tranquility at night, which is inimical to the nocturnal species.   

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Odisha, with over 40 years’ experience in the profession.