Rairakhol/Sambalpur: Union education minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the ‘Bhima Mandali’ Eco Heritage Site at Naktideul block in Sambalpur district, marking the beginning of a Rs 8.3 crore project aimed at developing the ancient site into a major eco and heritage tourism destination in Odisha.
Addressing a gathering at the site, Pradhan said Bhima Mandali represents not only a tourist attraction but also a living testimony to Odisha’s ancient civilisation and cultural heritage. He said the project would help bring the historical significance of the region to the national and international tourism map while generating employment opportunities for local residents.
Archaeologists believe the rock art found on the cave walls of Bhima Mandali dates back over 10,000 years. Stone Age tools and artefacts have also been discovered from the area, making it one of the important prehistoric sites in the state. Efforts are underway to secure official recognition for the site from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Pradhan said the approved project includes construction of approach roads, bridges, viewpoints, solar-powered facilities, tourist amenities and rest houses to improve connectivity and visitor experience. He added that the initiative is expected to boost the socio-economic condition of people living in nearby villages.
The Union minister also highlighted the Odisha government’s ‘Home Stay’ policy, under which local villagers would be encouraged to host tourists and showcase Odisha’s traditional rural lifestyle. “Bhima Mandali has the potential to emerge as a key eco-tourism and cultural destination in western Odisha,” he said.
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also oversees the State Tourism Department, for supporting the development initiative.
He further said that during his visit to Bhima Mandali on February 25, 2025, he had promised comprehensive development of the site. Subsequently, he wrote to Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking inclusion of Debrigarh–Bhima Mandali–Hirakud as a dedicated tourism circuit in the next phase of tourism projects.
