World-class green concepts to attract tourists to AP

Visakhapatnam: World class eco-friendly facilities are expected to come up in and around Araku Valley. The central government has approved the state government’s detailed project report (DPR) to develop facilities for a Tribal Circuit covering tourist attractions, including Borra Caves, Ananthagiri Hill Resorts, Araku Valley, Chaparaigedda, Paderu and Lambasingi. With this, the theme-based project is expected to attract tourists in droves.

Though, visitors show a lot of interest in Araku, the valley at present is not up to their expectations and as a result they are returning home after spending a day. This is on account of lack of facilities for proper stay and sources of entertainment. Though there are interesting places around Araku, no one is bothering to pay a visit because of poor transport and facilities for overnight stay.

Realising the need for a facelift for Araku valley, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has prepared a DPR for development of the Araku region at an estimated cost of Rs 190 crore. The state government submitted the report to the Union Tourism Ministry for sanctioning of funds under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme.

The state government explained the importance of Araku and the places around it, the culture that is flourishing there and the mouth-watering cuisine. The government proposed to develop the last mile connectivity to all places to interest the tourists.

The Centre has launched Swadeshi Darshan to position tourism as a major economic growth engine for job creation, development of circuits having tourist potential, promotion of cultural and heritage values and to improve general livelihoods in the identified regions and enhance the tourism potential by developing world class tourism infrastructure.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 160 crore for the project and the remaining will be met by the AP Tourism Department. Under this project, there would also be components like introducing tourists to tribal culture and the way they raise coffee plantations, which Araku is famous for.

By VKL GAYATRI