Forest law violations, wasteful expenditure in coastal Odisha tourism projects: CAG

Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 (UNI) Construction of tourism infrastructure in protected forest areas in violation of the Forest Conservation Act and operation of 20 government-run Panthanivas without mandatory fire safety certificates, besides substantial financial mismanagement, have come under the spotlight in a CAG audit of Odisha's coastal tourism sector. The findings are part of the CAG's Subject-Specific Compliance Audit of the Department of Tourism's efforts to promote sustainable tourism under the Blue Economy in the State's coastal zone. The audit found that permanent or semi-permanent structures were constructed in sanctuary, national park and protected reserve forest areas in violation of government…