Gopalpur Beach festival gets under way

Gopalpur beach festival and Pallishree mela attached to it were inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Patnaik declared that Rs. 4 crore was sanctioned for the economic uplift of fishermen of Gopalpur under the Integrated Coastal Management Project. He also said that the government was ready to provide all possible support for development of eco-tourism at Gopalpur and its adjoining areas. He lauded the rich cultural heritage of Ganjam district which produced great poets like Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanj and Kavisurya Baladev Rath. He also spoke on the threat of sea erosion at Gopalpur beach resort. A detailed scientific study of the nature sea erosion in the area was being prepared and the report would be ready by April next. Steps to check sea erosion would be taken as per the recommendations of the report. The Chief Minister said the loss of livelihood of fishermen living near Rushikulya rookery during the mating, nesting, and hatching period of Olive ridley turtles would be compensated through alternative livelihood measures. The inauguration ceremony of the beach festival was chaired by organising committee chairman and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy. State Minister Surya Narayan Patra Bikram Arukh, Aska MP Nityananda Pradhan, and MLAs of Berhampur, Chatrapur, Sorada, and Polasara were also present.

The beach festival would continue for five days.

Highlight of the inaugural evening was Odissi dance recital by Dona Ganguly, a disciple of great Odissi guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. She also happens to be the wife of former captain of Indian cricket team Sourav Ganguly. ‘Pallishree Mela’, attached to the beach festival, will showcase handicrafts from different parts of Odisha, especially Ganjam district. This mela is being organised by the Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). 

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad