Jungle Safari opens gates for nature lovers to forest

Markapur: As an initiative to increase Eco- tourism, the Andhra Pradesh government launched Jungle Safari in Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve forest at Tummala Bailu in Prakasam district on Sunday. In this Jungle Safari, the tourists will be taken into 12-km interior of the forest in an open top jeep to experience the flora and fauna of the wilderness.

To attract more tourists to the State, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism department, along with the Forest department, initiated the Jungle Safari to take the tourists into deep forest. The tourists enter the safari at Tummala Bailu, a tribal village just 32 km distance to Srisailam on the way to Dornala in Prakasam district. The officials arrange a local and tribal youth as guide in an open jeep for 5 to 6 tourists.

The safari covers about 12 kms and the jeep will be stopped at various points to give the tourists a glimpse of the animals and birds spotted at that time. An archery camp is also provided there to try hands on experience on arrows and bows. The rock climbers can go for trekking to touch and feel the wilderness.

B Jayachandra Reddy, divisional forest officer at Markapur said, ``As part of the development of community based Eco-tourism in AP, the government has decided to start a Jungle Safari at Tummala Bailu. The local guides will explain the tourists about various spots in the forest and the animals moving around there with the help of infrared cameras fixed on those locations and animals spotted at that time.

These facilities would be helpful in providing best experience to the nature lovers and increase the number of tourists. The safari into the jungle in one vehicle costs Rs 800 for a maximum of six persons while they can check their skills in archery and trekking for just Rs 100.

We are making all arrangements to give wide publicity to the jungle safari by placing sign boards and distance boards at various locations including the Srisailam temple, Dornala and other locations.’