Get set for safari in AP Nallamala

The deep jungles of the famed Nallamala forest are to be opened to tourists with the Bairluti jungle camp becoming operational in Kurnool district.

Mr Selvam, divisional forest officer at Atmakur, claims that the camp is promoting eco-tourism, where activities are “non-consumptive like bird watching, trekking, nature trails, river rafting and more importantly just watching the scenic beauty of the hills, valleys, meadows, and water bodies.”

The landscape of the Nallamala is unique with deep valleys, gorges, grass land and forests. Nestled in the Nallamala Ranges of the Eastern Ghats, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is a repository of biodiversity and an abode for endangered flora and fauna. It is the largest tiger reserve in India, with an area of 3,727.82 sq km spread over Prakasam, Kurnool and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Two wildlife sanctuaries, the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary constitute the Tiger Reserve area.

Mr Selvam adds: “To elicit local support for wildlife and to impart conservation education to visitors, ecotourism programmes involving local communities have been initiated in NSTR in three locations — Bairluty, Thummalabailu and Pacherla. Tribal archery and heritage walks are aimed to sensitise visitors to nature conservation and to empower the locals and improve their livelihood.”

NATURE TRAILS

Visitors will be taken in groups of 5-6 persons inside the Nallamala forests. Each nature trail will be for around 3-4 km.

ARCHERY

A tribal group called the Chenchus dwell in small habitations in the Nallamala Ranges. They are skilled in archery and visitors can take lessons from them.

BIRD WATCHING

Around 200 species of birds have been documented in NSTR. Grey hornbill, Indian Roller, Black headed Oriole, Red vented Bulbul, Purple sunbird are commonly found in the Reserve. Some 89 species of butterfly have been recorded.

TREKKING

Trekking through the Nallamala landscape, negotiating the deep valleys and gorges, is an experience in itself. A group of 5-6 persons will be accompanied by a local guide.

JUNGLE SAFARI

A drive of 1-2 hours through the forest with six persons per vehicle allows the less active to experience the wilderness, the variety of flora and fauna, and the diversity of the landscape.