Following the launch of advanced caravan tourism services earlier this year, the Odisha Forest Department is introducing rigorous regulations to manage vehicle movement within pristine eco-tourism zones. 

Operating via the Ecotour Odisha portal for pre-registered, government-approved operators, the initiative balances tourism expansion with strict ecological preservation.

Financial Layout And Operations

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida previously inaugurated the service’s second phase under the Viability Gap Funding scheme, partnered with Sand Pebbles Tour and Travels. Whilst vehicles feature hotel-like amenities to explore offbeat locations like Hirakud and Chilika, the forest department has set a nightly parking fee of Rs 1,000. 

Electricity, waste management, sewerage disposal, food, dormitory use, and recreation are charged separately. 

Generated revenue is distributed structurally:

80 Per Cent: Earmarked for infrastructure maintenance through divisional forest officers.

10 Per Cent: Allocated to local communities and eco-development committees.

10 Per Cent: Directed to the ecotourism society corpus fund.

Regulated Sanctuary Access

Deputy Conservator of Forests Vivek Kumar clarified that designated caravan parks will feature minimal, eco-friendly infrastructure, such as solar lighting, charging points, and septic facilities, banning permanent construction, as reported by The New Indian Express. 

Spaces are restricted to four or five vehicles at a time across ecologically sensitive locations, including Debrigarh, Similipal, Satkosia, Mahendragiri, Chandaka-Dampara, Deomali, and Bhitarkanika.

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The SOP mandates specific speed limits and fixed time windows, whilst prohibiting loud music, fireworks, generators, and the feeding of animals. Tourists must segregate waste, maintain low-intensity lighting, and are strictly banned from discharging grey water or sewage into forest land or adjacent waterbodies.