Kendrapara (Orissa): Waking up to security concern following Mumbai terror strikes, Orissa forest department has prohibited entry of foreign tourists into a scenic uninhabited island because of its close proximity to a strategic defence installation.

Ekkakula island, a prominent nesting site of olive ridley sea turtles within Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, will now remain out of bounds for international tourists. Besides, there would be restrictive permission to domestic tourists for visit to this isolated beach, official sources said.

The serene and tranquil Ekkakula beach often used to attract a large number of domestic and foreign eco-tourists.

The strategic Intermediary Test Range centre at Wheeler's island is on the close neighbourhood of Ekkakula island that falls within the administrative jurisdiction of Gahirmatha sanctuary.

Refusing to elaborate, a senior forest official said foreign tourists were not being permitted to visit the said island from security viewpoint. "After Mumbai terror strike, we have also restricted domestic visitors to Ekkakula," he said.
Source : PTI