Addressing the gathering, Mann pointed to thriving models in Amritsar, Patiala, and Chamrod Lake, where film productions and lavish weddings have fueled employment. Saleran, he asserted, is set to compete with Himachal’s famed attractions, offering stunning vistas and modern amenities.

The government has overhauled 52 rundown rest houses, transforming them into revenue generators fetching Rs 1 crore monthly in rent. Mann criticized past administrations for mismanaging state properties by handing them over cheaply to allies, a practice his government has firmly reversed.

During his media interaction, the CM detailed the Rs 2.80 crore project’s expected Rs 18 lakh yearly revenue. It builds on the popular Chohl Dam success, promising a fresh haven for adventure-seekers and families alike.

Highlights encompass a expansive children’s play area spanning 16,000 sq ft with interactive zones, four cozy eco-huts, a spacious cafeteria for 80, and an amphitheater for scenic enjoyment. This setup will lure visitors, spark job opportunities for youngsters, and uplift community earnings.

Looking ahead, Mann stressed the untapped potential of such locales to become global hotspots, propelling Punjab’s tourism industry into a powerhouse of sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Stretching over three districts – Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam – Chilika’s waters fluctuate dramatically with seasons, expanding in rains and contracting in heat. Its status as Asia’s biggest brackish lagoon earned it international acclaim in 1981, drawing birdwatchers in winter and adventure seekers for boating, angling, and dolphin encounters.

Irrawaddy dolphins, elusive residents named for a distant river, are unique to Chilika’s inland waters among Odisha’s coastal varieties. Assistant Conservator Soumya Ranjan Sahu outlined the logistics: post-training at two sites, teams deploy boat transects – repeating fixed paths thrice for precision data. Gear includes GPS devices, binoculars, cameras, and standardized forms.

Day one wrapped up successfully, with surveys from multiple launch points. Expect continued operations tomorrow and the next, culminating in comprehensive analysis. Rare humpback sightings last year highlight the census’s surprises.

Conservation calls rang loud: no plastic littering, respect dustbin placements, and maintain distance from dolphins to preserve their habitat. WWF coordinator Sadhvi Sindhura highlighted the broader implications. ‘This isn’t a one-off; it’s ongoing vigilance,’ she said. Teams log activities per global protocols, revealing the lake’s health through dolphin well-being.

A robust dolphin count means a vibrant ecosystem, bolstering local economies tied to fishing and eco-tourism. Chilika’s fate intertwines wildlife protection with human prosperity.

The cabinet decided to provide certain benefits to students from communities previously excluded from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes lists. Students from the Dhari Korwa, Baghel Kshatriya, Sansari Uraon, and Pabiya, Paviya, Paviya communities will receive benefits equivalent to those for Scheduled Tribes, while students from the Domra caste will receive benefits equivalent to those for Scheduled Castes. This includes state scholarships, stipends, and admission to hostels and ashrams.

A major decision was made to promote renewable energy and provide financial benefits to electricity consumers. Under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the state government will provide financial assistance for installing solar rooftop plants on residential buildings. Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) will implement the scheme. The financial aid will vary based on the plant capacity. For example, 1 kW plants will receive ₹45,000 (₹30,000 from the center and ₹15,000 from the state), and 3 kW or higher plants will receive ₹1,08,000 (₹78,000 from the center and ₹30,000 from the state). Similar assistance is proposed for housing societies/residential welfare associations. The state aims to install 60,000 solar power plants in 2025-26 and 70,000 in 2026-27, with a financial impact of ₹180 crore and ₹210 crore, respectively. Priority will be given to those consumers whose solar plants are grid-synchronized on or after April 1, 2025.

In a move to conserve wildlife, especially tigers, and promote eco-tourism, the cabinet decided to form the “Chhattisgarh Tiger Foundation Society.” The society will operate under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The primary goal is to protect the declining tiger population in Chhattisgarh. The society will be self-funded, generating resources from donors. It will be directly involved in tiger and wildlife conservation efforts and will promote eco-tourism with the participation of local communities, creating employment opportunities. The society will encourage environmental education, research, and training.

The cabinet approved the merger of the “Vivekananda Institute of Social Health Welfare & Services, Chhattisgarh (Vishwas)” with the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Narayanpur. It was also decided to provide 100 acres of land to the Department of Horticulture for establishing a Horticulture College in Belgaon, Bemetara district. Furthermore, the cabinet approved transferring the ‘JashPure’ brand, which markets herbal and mahua tea products made by women’s self-help groups in Jashpur district, to the state government or CSIDC to expand market reach and boost marketing. This transfer will not impose any additional financial burden.

To honor the supreme sacrifice of police martyrs, the cabinet amended clause 13(3) of the consolidated revised instructions-2013 for compassionate appointments. It allows eligible family members (male or female) of police personnel martyred in Naxal violence to receive compassionate appointments in any department or district of the state, instead of the deceased’s department.

Finally, to facilitate systematic exploration, prospecting, and infrastructure development of minor minerals in Chhattisgarh, the cabinet approved the draft notification for the formation of the “State Mineral Exploration Trust” (SMET). A 2% royalty from all minor minerals will be deposited in the SMET fund, which will be used for exploration, infrastructure development, and technological advancements. The SMET will be established on the lines of the National Mineral Exploration Trust of the Government of India.