TS Forest Dept set to promote eco tourism

Vanajeevan huts complex being reopened for public

Tadvai (Warangal): The district Forest department is going in a big way in the promotion of eco-tourism.

The department is set to offer a unique experience to the nature lovers by reopening ‘Vanajeevan’ (Tadvai Huts Complex), a forest resort tucked away in deep reserve forest area in Sammakka Sarakka Tadvai mandal in the district.

The complex consists of two concrete structured huts, one dormitory and two tented accommodation, besides a mud-structured hut that gives a feel being close to the nature, said Divisional Forest officer (DFO) Ch Ganga Reddy (Wildlife).

The tented accommodation, concrete and mud huts, could accommodate a family of four members, while the dormitory with all modern amenities accommodates up to eight members. A well-equipped kitchen is also part of the complex and offers delicious food to the visitors.

Speaking to The Hans India, Ganga Reddy said the visiting tourists can have a closer look at the wildlife and feel the freshness of the forests. A site-seeing tour would be offered for the tourists where they can move through a trial track that runs through the forest.

It is planned to provide bicycles, battery operated jeeps or motor jeeps and a traditional bullock cart for the site seeing. A ‘machan’ (an elevated platform) is now available at a distance of 13 kilometres from the huts complex and two more ‘machans’ would come up soon.

The entire complex is covered with chain-link fencing and adequate security arrangements would be made for the safe stay of the tourists. The huts complex is likely to be opened in the month of October and the bookings could be made online for which a website is being developed, DFO Ganga Reddy said.

He said that the forest department was coordinating with the tourism department in promoting the eco-tourism in the district. It is planned to develop an eco-tourism circuit by including natural attractions like Laknavaram and Rammapa Lakes, Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Gaddelu, and historic Mallur temple.

The charges for staying at the huts complex would be within in the reach of common man, he noted.

The huts complex falls under Eturunagaram sanctuary spread over 803 square kilometres, where one could find the species including the giant squirrel, Sambar-Nilgai, spotted deer, barking deer, four horned antelope and others.