https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Eco Camp Kodar: Adventure For Tourists, Livelihood for Locals

To provide livelihood to local youth, DFO Pankaj Rajput converted a scenic spot near Kodar Dam into an eco-tourism facility, naming it Eco Camp Kodar The camp offers an all inclusive package that includes night camping, food, peddle boating, motor boating, etc. The officer is further planning to add a butterfly park and a rock garden to the camp as well
Indian Masterminds Stories

Noticing the potential of a scenic spot near the Kodar Dam in Chhattisgarh, District Forest Officer Pankaj Rajput, IFS, decided to turn it into an eco-tourism camp. He added facilities like night camping and  boating, and named it Eco Camp Kodar. The camp now offers an all inclusive package to visitors looking for some adventure in the wild.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Rajput shared details about this initiative.

KODAR ECO CAMP

There is a forest land around a reservoir which was constructed about 40-45 years ago. People come here for picnics. Realising the potential of this scenic spot, the forest department thought of monetising it through eco-tourism which will also provide livelihoods to the local people and help maintain the area in a proper way.

Photo credit: Eco Camp Kodar

“I love camping and used to go for it to other faraway places, when an officer, who was earlier posted as CEO, Zila Panchayat, and who happens to be a friend of mine, said that we can start camping on the sides of Kodar dam as well. When we visited the place, we realised that it’s a doable project,” Mr. Rajput said.

So, with convergence, they managed some some funds from MNREGA and District Mineral Fund (DMF) and constructed a fencing first. “We started fencing the peddle boating area. For camping, we made simple and natural platforms, and then brought in temporary foldable tents which have bed, blanket, pillow and lights,” the officer said. 

Photo credit: Eco Camp Kodar

The forest department also constructed a small building that houses a kitchen, store room and toilets. Further, 10 local young boys were employed in the camp for various works. The Eco Camp Kodar has been running successfully for more than a year now.

CAMP PACKAGE

Thereafter, a complete package was introduced which included the entry fees, pedal boating, motor boating, night camping, evening refreshment, dinner, breakfast, and camp fire in winter, costing Rs. 2000 per person in the peak season. During the lean season, the price may vary. One tent can accommodate two people.

Photo credit: Eco Camp Kodar

“From the money that comes into our hand, we exclude the operational expenses and divide the remaining money equally – half for maintenance costs and the other half goes to the 10 young boys who are working there. We pay them proportionately to the days they work. We are also considering giving incentives to them, like whoever gets good feedback will get paid more,” Mr. Rajput said.

The idea is to train the young boys and build a competitive spirit in them. They send them for training in rotation. Two people have come back from a cooking training in Raipur.

The camp is minimalistic with not a single pucca room for staying, nor permanent tents. “Our SOP is not luxury stay, instead it’s an adventure night stay in the forest,” Mr. Rajput said.

Photo credit: Eco Camp Kodar

A rescue boat has also been kept in the camp for the safety of the visitors.

EXPANSION

“We are about to open a ticket counter cum shop where we will sell products made by local self-help group and the forest department, using the minor forest produce. This ticket counter cum shop is ready and may start in a week or so,” Mr. Rajput said.

Photo credit: Eco Camp Kodar

Other plans in the pipeline are a butterfly park and a rock garden. Meanwhile, the eco camp is being promoted extensively through social media. Mr. Rajput said, “The feedback we are getting is positive. When people see the beauty of the place, they want to visit it, and first timers want to come back again.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Former Karnataka DGP Om Prakash
Retired Karnataka DGP Om Prakash Found Dead at Bengaluru Home; Wife Detained
BHEL_resized
BHEL Logs 19% Revenue Growth at 27,350 Crore in FY 2024-25
Steel-Authority
Chitta Ranjan Mohapatra Selected as Director In-Charge of Bhilai Steel Plant, SAIL
images - 2023-04-21T090510
India Becomes First Nation to Achieve Artificial Breeding of Great Indian Bustard
Neha Meena IAS
Jhabua Collector Neha Meena (IAS) to Receive Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Governance
Ravi Shankar Shukla IAS
PM Modi to Award DC Ravi Shankar Shukla (IAS) for Excellence in Aspirational Block Programme in Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Jharkhand
Cheetah-resized
2 Cheetahs Pavak and Prabhash to be Shifted from Kuno to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Major Wildlife Expansion Effort
Pallavi Akurathi IAS
IAS Officer Pallavi Akurathi Files Cyber Complaint After Being Cheated in Online Sari Purchase
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
Meghashree D R IAS
How Wayanad’s Women Turned a Disaster into a Dream Project
UPSC Stories
images (14)
Utsav Anand, the UPSC Topper Who Chose Public Service Over a Plush Career
From IIT Bombay to the 2022 IAS batch (Haryana cadre), Utsav Anand’s journey is proof that sharp minds...
pushplata-yadav-ias
How IAS Pushp Lata’s Strategy and Spirit Took Her to AIR 80
From rural Haryana to IAS, Pushp Lata Yadav’s journey reflects focused planning, adaptation, and the...
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
IRS officer Padmapani Bora's 16-year career transcends typical bureaucracy. Discover his surprising journey...
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Former Karnataka DGP Om Prakash
Retired Karnataka DGP Om Prakash Found Dead at Bengaluru Home; Wife Detained
BHEL_resized
BHEL Logs 19% Revenue Growth at 27,350 Crore in FY 2024-25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
Meghashree D R IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT