Eco-tourism projects in Nallamala on the anvil

- Eco-tourism projects are being developed at Bairutla and Pacharla in Nallamala forest at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore
- Forest officials are setting up a base camp at Bairutla with 10 cottages to facilitate night stay for tourists
- Night stay concept in deep forest was conceived by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu: Forest officials
- Say eco-tourism to boost sale of forest produce like honey, gum, tamrind, shikakai and common herbs

Kurnool: The district is gearing up to boost the eco-tourism that will allow tourists and visitors to enjoy the nature amidst the idyllic scenery of Nallamala forest. An over-night stay in the midst of tall trees, verdant foliage and the howling and roaring of wild animals like leopard, fox, wild boars, tigers and hissing of wild snakes would soon become a reality.

The community based eco-tourism has been taken up at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore at Bairutla and Pacharla and may be able to receive more number of tourists during Shivarathri, according to official sources. Bairutla is located on the Atmakur-Srisailam road while Pacharla is near Nandyal in Kurnool district on the way to Giddalur. Nallamala forest is spread over 10,416 sq km covering six districts of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.

Of this, 3,568 sq km accounts for wildlife sanctuaries and a tiger reserve. It is inhabited by Chenchu tribes and Lambadas. A large part of the forest hosts Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Leopard sighting here is not uncommon. Officials say they are expecting the tourists, who can enjoy their trip while being sensible towards protection of bio-diversity. A base camp is being set up at Bairutla with 10 cottages to facilitate night stay.

A forest safari is reportedly getting ready for tourists to provide the unique experience of traversing through the thick verdant green cover. The safari is expected to cover 90 minutes of driving pleasure through notified safari route, said a forest official. “It would be a guided tour,” he added. The Ministry of Tourism is providing financial assistance for developing tourism infrastructure projects including eco-tourism. The funding would be subject to availability of funds and utilisation of funds released earlier. Officials said that tourists can have the thrill of staying in deep forest once the eco-tourism project is completed. The concept of night stay in deep forest is the brain child of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

As per his vision, a family, who would like to see the flora and fauna of Nallamala, would be thrilled if an opportunity to stay at night is provided. Authorities have been taking the measures to allow tourists to stay at night in Nallamala forest. The cottages have been secured with mesh to keep off creepers, snakes or reptiles. The forest officials believe that eco-tourism would boost sale of forest produce like honey, gum, tamrind, shikakai and common herbs.

The Centre has evolved and adopted comprehensive sustainable tourism criteria for India for three major segments of tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators as well as beaches, backwaters, lakes and river sectors. The Tourism Ministry has launched ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ for development of theme based tourist circuits to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities.

V Narendra Kumar