Aroma of herbal gardens to spice up tourism

Bhupalpally: In what is touted as a big boost to tourism in the region, the forest department has come up with a proposal to establish two herbal gardens in Bhupalpally district. The plan is to spice up the aesthetics of historical Ramappa and Mallur temples thereby attracting more tourists to the region.

However, the proposed project is aimed at conservation of medicinal plants; thereby protecting traditional knowledge of treatment, in hindsight the forest department sees it as an opportunity to increase the footfall of tourists and pilgrims. It may be noted here that Bhupalpally district is bestowed with abundant forest cover (4,505 sq kms), laid back destinations, besides housing several historical temples and structures.  

The forest department, in addition to its ongoing tourism promotional activity that includes a series of events such as forest marathon, bird watching, trekking, rock climbing, cycling, adventure sports etc., has come up with a proposal to establish two herbal gardens one each near Ramappa and Mallur temples with an out lay of Rs 4 crore.

Citing the district’s geographical credential that has 73 per cent forest cover, the forest officials have sent a proposal to the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, seeking funds for the herbal gardens. The proposal, which has the backing of Mahabubabad MP Azmeera Sitaram Naik, is in all probability to get the nod of the NMPB, it’s learnt.

Speaking to The Hans India, DFO T Ravi Kiran said: “We see this project as a multipurpose one as it one way conserves critically endangered medicinal plant species and on the other hand improves the aesthetics of both the temples. The plan is to develop herbal garden at Ramappa in about eight to 10 acres. In Mallur, around 50 acres forest land is available for the purpose.”

Both these gardens will have amenities so that the visitors spend some time, he added. However, there are hundreds of varieties of medicinal plants available in the district’s forest, initially we will take up the cultivation of easy to grow plants such as amla, tulsi, aloe vera, basil etc, Ravi Kiran said.

According to the DFO, the NMPB is likely to call the forest wing for a presentation on the proposed herbal gardens some time in this or next month. Meanwhile, MP A Sitaram Naik who already met the NMPB officials in Delhi is confident that the project will get underway very soon.