This will be second such project in Chhattisgarh, Manikpur Pokhri in Korba district will be developed
KORBA, 8 JULY . SECL has decided to develop Manikpur Pokhari in Korba district as an eco-tourism destination. This will be the second such eco-tourism site in the state of Chhattisgarh. Earlier, the closed mine at Kenapara in Surajpur district has also been developed by SECL as an eco-tourism site where today tourists come from far and wide come to enjoy boating and other activities. Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi himself has praised this tourist destination through a tweet.
Under this project, SECL along with Municipal Corporation Korba will spend more than 11 crores to develop Manikpur Pokhari located in the district as an eco-tourism destination. Under this project, the closed Manikpur OC, which has taken the form of a lake, will be developed as a beautiful eco-tourism destination equipped with various tourist facilities. Recently, the company has released an amount of Rs 5.60 crore to Collector Korba by cheque for the implementation of the project.
Sprawled over an area of more than 8 hectares, this Pokhari will be converted into an eco-tourism site with various facilities for tourists such as boating facility, floating restaurant/cafeteria, garden in the Pokhari complex, selfie zone, children’s play area , Climbing Wall, Repelling Wall, Zipline Roller Coaster, Musical Fountain, Grand Entrance, etc.
Manikpur OC is one of the first mines in Korba district. In the year 1966, coal mining was started here with Russian technical consultation.
About 24 years later, during the excavation for coal mining, due to the discovery of ground water source here, there was so much water storage here that it could not be taken out even with the help of motor pumps etc. and finally the mine had to be closed. With this project, the people of Korba district will not only get a new tourist destination, but it will also provide new sources of livelihood for the people.
It maybe noted here that about 16% of the national coal production comes from Korba district and it has coal power plants of about 6,428 MW capacity. Not only the country but Asia’s largest coal mines are located here.
Coal India is working on a plan to convert closed/abandoned mines into eco-tourism sites across the country, so that not only these mines are becoming popular as tourist places but they are also providing employment to the local people.
