Three Tiger Safari Parks proposed

Srikakulam: Three Tiger Safari Parks were proposed in the state in Visakhapatnam, Rajahmahendravaram and Kurnool, said principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) P Mallikarjuna Rao. He inspected forest nurseries and works here on Wednesday and inaugurated new buildings.

Speaking on the occasion, PCCF explained that a detailed survey was conducted on Tiger Safari Parks to protect its population and to develop them as tourist spots.

At present, elephant menace is prevailing in three locations across the state in Srikakulam agency located on Odisha border, Kuppam in Chittoor district border of Tamila Nadu and Karnataka states, Seshachalam Hills located in Chittoor and Kadapa districts. “To prevent the elephant menace, we would conduct a detailed study on elephants’ problem in other countries like Africa”, PCCF added.

“In addition to it, we would use drones for continuous tracking and monitoring the movement of the elephants”, he said. He suggested to farmers to change cropping pattern in these locations to send out elephants as the wild tuskers are attracting for mango, banana crops, if they cultivate tobacco, elephants will not venture into the orchards, he elaborated.

A Marine Park was proposed in Visakhapatnam in five acres to protect marine living resources. Eco-tourism Parks also being proposed at 15 temples across the state, PCCF explained. Greenery would be improved on 214 hills across the state where no plants are in existence.

“As part of Vanam-Manam, we are planning to sow 27 crore saplings in the ensuing rainy season with cooperation of all other departments and geo-tagging would be done for for their protection”, PCCF said. Conservator of forests (CCF) Rahul Pandey, district forest officer Ch Shanthi Swaroop and forest officials accompanied the PCCF.