Koraput admin bans overnight stays at Deomali Hilltop to safeguard ecology and tourists

Bhubaneswar, April 12: In a bid to protect the fragile environment and ensure the safety of visitors, the Koraput district administration has prohibited overnight stays at Deomali Hilltop, Odisha’s highest peak. The directive, issued by District Magistrate and Collector V Keerthi Vasan, bars tourists from remaining at the hilltop between 8 PM and 5 AM.

The order, which comes into immediate effect, is issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It seeks to maintain the ecological balance of the area, which has seen a rise in tourist activity in recent years.

Tourists must now obtain prior permission from the district administration for any overnight stay in the hilltop region. Additionally, the use of single-use plastics has been strictly banned. Violators will face penalties as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Tour operators and vendors are directed to maintain cleanliness, ensure proper waste disposal, and adhere to instructions from the Pottangi Block Administration and local authorities. Non-compliance may lead to legal consequences under environmental and safety laws.