Action plan prepared to promote eco-tourism: Sidda

Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Forests Sidda Raghava Rao has said that an action plan was devised to develop Eco-tourism as well as to increase the forest area in the state and directions were issued to the officials concerned in this regard.

Speaking to reporters at Roads and Buildings Guest House here on Tuesday, he said Eco-tourism has been attracting many tourists in the state, mainly in the Agency area of East Godavari district. Under Eco-tourism, many projects are coming up in that area and the officials were directed to provide basic facilities for the tourists. Eco-tourism is developing in Maredumilli area briskly.

The government is conducting Vanam Manam programme like a utsavam (festival) to develop and increase forest area in the state. In this direction, check-dams will be constructed, steps would be taken to decrease pollution.

An amount of Rs 500 cr is allocated for this field of tourism across the state, he said. In addition, Moreover, it was planned to spend an amount of Rs 3 crore under Vanamitra programme to plant saplings near to national highways.

The government earned an amount of Rs 190 crore by selling red-sanders in a span of three months, followed by Rs 150 crore through Andhra Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (APFDC), by selling forest produce the minister said.

The government is having a stock of 4,600 metric tonnes of red-sanders and steps were taken to sell them through open auction. The government is initiating steps to combat smuggling of red-sanders. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and reserve forest will be developed and Wildlife department, which is taking care to protect wildlife, will be strengthened shortly.

Later, he reviewed the progress of ongoing works in the department. Chief Conservator of Forests JSN Murthi, divisional forest officers Anantha Sankar, Nandini, Nageswara Rao, M Prasad, Sai, D Rama Krishna and others were present.