Tourist Place - Gandahati Falls

Gandahati Falls located in the Rayagada Block of Gajapati is considered as one of the important tourist destination of Gajapati District . Located at a distance of 25 km from Paralakhemundi , jeeps and buses can reach this place by taking a right turn at the Adasingh junction Along with the B N Palace , the Gajapati Palace , the Gudguda Falls , the Khasada Falls and the Chandragiri Tibetan Camps this site is being projected as a must see for tourists to South Orissa . The Gandahati Falls continues to be the most sought after destination for tourists from Orissa and Andhra Pradesh . Nestled the mountain ranges in the Devagiri Forest Range stream of this 'fall' generates from the Mahendragiri Hills and flows into the Mahendrataneya River down stream . It is the huge fall from a 30 meter mountain on rocks down below at the Gandahati Village which is the center of attraction and an enchanting place for visitors for spending a day of relaxation. It was only in the 80's the Gandahati Fall was discovered as a place for picnic and there was a rush by the locals to this place , and as the word of this scenic water fall and lush forest range spread around , in the 90's the flow of visitors had grown up many folds . Today this is one of the most important site for visit ,especially during the winter season . But now the place is facing a crisis of environmental pollution and acute deforestation due to the lack of concern by the administration to protect this place from natural degradation and continuous pollution . A visit to this site reveals thousands of poly empty water pouch ,polythene papers etc all littered around unclaimed and causing huge amount of contamination . There is a green house room constructed by the forest department for the purpose of Research and Development , but is in a dilapidated state due to lack of proper care . "We have started a project to make this a place of tourist visit with all facilities available , and there will be excellent communication to this resort .Already work on this project has started with the cooperation of the Jaganath Institute for Technology and Management who are acting as consultants for this" said the Collector D V Swamy . But there have been many similar attempts in the past by different organizations and Collectors also but all this has been in vain . The Minister for Tourism who coincidently is from this place had also several times repeated that Gandahati Falls will be developed and funds will not be a constraint , but this has never materialized till today.To make this all possible it requires simple management of the available resources . The administration can take the initiative of creating a special zone in this area , and create a committee which will be responsibility for the development and nurturing of the important tourist resort .At the same time a development committee with the District Collector and other interested personalities can be formed which will oversee the improvement of this zone. Visitors coming to this place will be asked to pay a specific amount as entry fees and temporary rest houses can also be set up for the picnickers and visitors. Attention is to be given to the plastic pollution that can create more problems in this zone .