Separated from
the mighty Bay of Bengal by a series of sandbanks is the
Chilika Lake, in Orissa, that
houses a cluster of beautiful small islands.
A few of these islands serve as home to a number of local
and migratory waterfowls. In
the heart of one of these islands is the Saga
Eco Camp, beautifully interwoven
with the delicate and fragile ecosystem of the area. Just
6km away from the mainland, less than an hour’s journey
by boat, the Eco-camp is a sheer manifestation of nature
aimed at providing a comfortable stay without disturbing
the fragile ecology of the lake.
There is lot to see during the stay at camp right from dawn when the sun rises from the depth of Lake till the time it sets behind the hills on the western tip. A host of activities are available for visitors like boat rides to some popular island attractions, water sports, adventure rides, angling trips, and if you are lucky enough you may also come across groups of Irrawady dolphins frolicking in the lake. Some important destinations you can visit in the vast wetland eco-system include Nalban Bird Sanctuary, Bird Island, Honeymoon Island and Kalkaji Temple.
A total of ten tents,
each meant for four guests, form the main accommodation
system of Saga
Eco Camp. Every tent flaunts cozy interiors equipped
with all the basic needs including dressing tables, side
tables, fan, running water, attached bathrooms and toilets
coupled with warm personnel services. Food at the camp is
a lavish affair with a variety of delectable dishes in the
menu.
The management staff of eco camp is deeply concern about the fragile eco-system of the area. Every care is taken so as to keep the natural balance of the lake intact. All kitchen and domestic biodegradable wastes of the camp are dumped in a covered dump pit. The non-biodegradable wastes is partly dumped in a pit and burnt off while the rest is disposed to ‘Rambha’ town garbage dump. When the pits get filled it is covered by earth and new pits dug out. Local plants are planted on the site of the old pits and the garbage underneath worked as fertilizer. Throwing of non-biodegradable things like plastic is strictly prohibited and efforts are on to make Chilika a ‘no-plastic zone’. Regarding the wildlife in the area care is taken so as not to disturb their peace and harmony. No visitors are allowed to have any physical contact with the wild other than remain a passive observer. Also efforts are on to install solar energy at the campsite to replace the diesel run gensets that are now working for few hours a day. The eco-camp also comes as a boon to the local residents of the island who were getting the benefit of pipe water, electricity and sanitary toilets.
