Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Tourism Department has formally requested the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department to fast-track the notification of pending Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and the preparation of Zonal Master Plans (ZMPs) for protected areas across the state.
In an official letter dated 28 July 2026, Tourism Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh, wrote to the Principal Secretary of the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, stating that the Tourism Department is actively undertaking destination planning and investment promotion initiatives for several nature-based and eco-tourism destinations. Potential land banks have been identified and destination master plans are being prepared to facilitate sustainable tourism infrastructure, eco-tourism facilities, and private sector investments in protected areas and their surrounding regions.
The department highlighted that the non-finalisation of Eco-Sensitive Zone notifications in certain protected areas like Similipal and Satkosia is creating uncertainty over permissible development activities, planning parameters, and regulatory approvals. This, in turn, is affecting project preparation, investment facilitation, and implementation timelines of various tourism initiatives. The Tourism Department has therefore urged the early notification of all pending ESZs.
It has also requested that, in areas where ESZ notifications have already been issued, the preparation and approval of respective Zonal Master Plans be taken up on priority in consultation with the Tourism Department. These plans should adequately address permissible tourism activities, eco-tourism zones, visitor management strategies, carrying capacity considerations, community participation mechanisms, infrastructure planning, and conservation safeguards.
According to the letter, such an integrated approach would ensure that tourism development is undertaken in a planned and environmentally sustainable manner while generating livelihoods for local communities and strengthening conservation outcomes. The department has requested that the matter be accorded priority consideration.
