The recent floods have taken a toll on tourism in Kendrapada and Jajpur with these districts housing famous Buddhist sites and a national park. As per a report in TOI by Ashis Senapati, the floods have severely affected tourism at the famous Buddhist sites of Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri, Langudi, Udayagiri and Kaima areas in Jajpur and Bhitarkanika national park in Kendrapada.

"The floodwaters discouraged many tourists from visiting the famous Buddhist site at Ratnakiri in Jajpur's Bari block. The main road near Ratnagiri is flooded with four feet water," Pranab Kumar Das of Ratnagiri said.

Tour operators are worried too. "Tourists, particularly foreigners visit these places between October and February, and it is important to repair the damaged roads within the first week of October," said Sanghamitra Jena, a tour operator of Eastern Treasure India Tour. She also felt that the exaggerated flood reports in media, particularly electronic, might discourage tourists from even visiting areas that have not been affected.

"There are already signs of people having doubts about visiting Bhitarkanika during puja due to the flood," said Jena, who runs a nature camp in Bhitarkanika. "People have seen pictures of the terrible condition in flood affected Kendrapada district and are under the impression that the whole area is under water." "People in other countries have been contacting us, worried about their holidays. They don't seem to realize that the problem is very localized and the rest of the district is fine," she added.

But district tourism officer Bijaya Kumar Mohanty said, "The authorities will repair all roads at the Buddhist sites within a week of the water receding. The tourism sector will not be affected this year."

The economy of many villages within Bhitarkanika national park depends upon tourism.

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