HISTORIC: Kaliamali Hill officially opened for trekking in Koraput

  

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Watershed Moment for Odisha’s Adventure Tourism 

KORAPUT, Odisha – In a landmark move set to redefine the Koraput District tourism landscape, the Koraput District Administration, under the leadership of Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, has launched a pioneering initiative to position Koraput as a premier hub for adventure tourism. The successful organization of a mountain trekking competition at the scenic Kalia Mali Hill this past Saturday i.e 13 Dec, 2025 is being hailed as the first decisive step in this transformative vision.

The event, part of the annual tribal cultural festival Parab 2025, was far more than a local competition. It represented the formal unveiling of a strategic blueprint to develop Koraput’s rugged highlands into a sustainable and world-class adventure destination. Collector Mahajan’s personal involvement—from flagging off the trek to engaging with participants throughout—signaled the administration’s deep commitment to this new direction.

“This is not merely a trek; it is the foundation of a new identity for our region and for Odisha,” 

Collector Mahajan stated, addressing a gathering of enthusiastic youth, students, and local dignitaries including Block Chairman Goladi Trinath and Sarpanch Piliba Shirika. He revealed that a comprehensive development plan is already in motion, focusing on infrastructure, local community empowerment, and strategic promotion to transform Kalia Mali Hill into a magnet for adventurers and filmmakers alike.

The choice of location is strategic. Already gaining popularity as a backdrop for Tollywood and album shoots, Kalia Mali Hill’s untapped potential for trekking, rock climbing, and eco-tourism is now being formally harnessed. The administration’s plan aims to create a replicable model, where adventure tourism drives local economic growth, involves youth and women’s groups, and showcases Odisha’s breathtaking natural diversity.

Despite the chilly weather, the vibrant participation of youth from across Koraput, Semiliguda, and Sunabeda demonstrated the public’s readiness to embrace this new avenue. Participants, equipped with Parab 2025 gear, tackled a challenging three-kilometer route, with the most successful being honored with medals and certificates in a ceremony attended by Superintendent of Police Rohit Verma.

Integrated within the larger framework of Parab 2025—which promotes tribal heritage through sports, dance, and culture—this adventure tourism push creates a unique synergy. It offers visitors a dual experience: rich indigenous culture and thrilling outdoor adventure.

The Koraput administration’s initiative marks a historic pivot. It moves beyond traditional tourism paradigms, actively carving out a niche for Odisha in the competitive adventure travel market. By leveraging its natural assets with focused planning and community participation, this first trek on Kalia Mali Hill may well be remembered as the moment Odisha’s adventure tourism journey truly began.