State plans eco-tourism sites at Nalgonda, Mancherial
■ Ethnic cottages, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating and safaris among activities proposed
The state government has given a call to develop two new eco-tourism sites in Telangana State’s most picturesque spots.
The Telangana State Forest Development Corporation is set to develop the projects on a publicprivate partnership mode, creating hundreds of new jobs and generating lakhs of rupees in income.
Ethnic cottages, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating and safaris are among the things proposed in the scenic backwaters of Vizag Colony in Nalgonda and at Chintaguda in Mancherial, near the lush Kawal Tiger Reserve.
The department generates approximately `20 crore annually from existing projects in and around Hyderabad. These include the Botanical Garden and Pala Pitta Cycling Park in Kothaguda, Mrugavani National Park in Chilkur, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali Park in Vanasthalipuram and Jawahar Lake Tourism Complex in Shamirpet.
The two new sites are likely to generate an additional `30 lakh for the state initially and it might go up over the years.
Assistant director, ecotourism, at TSFDC, M. Madhavi, said: “Tenders will be floated after surveys are completed by the state at both sites. We hope to start work in another four months, depending on the response to tenders.”
The Nalgonda site is located amid lush and serene green fields, long stretches of jungle areas and blue green waters of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir.
“There are several important places near and around the proposed base camp, which will be easily accessible from the site,” Ms Madhavi said.
Set near the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, tourist points will include boating in the Nagarjunasagar backwaters, visits to the historical Gajubedam caves; Devarakonda fort; Harihara Mallanna temple; and to Puttamgandi lift irrigation project, the biggest in Asia.
Tourists are expected from both TS and Andhra Pradesh to this place 133 km from Hyderabad.
At Chintaguda in Mancherial district, 10 independent cottages, tented accommodation and two common dormitories will come up. A children’s play area, a restaurant and a landscaped garden are also planned.
Other attractions near the area include the Shivaram crocodile sanctuary, Gundala waterfalls, Laxmi Devi temple, deer-breeding centre, Godavari river, Mallyal watch tower and solar pump areas.
“It will serve as a centre which combines aesthetic, educational and recreation values at one site,” Ms Madhavi said.
“It also provides a holiday space for urban visitors within serene natural surroundings.”
While the site at Mancherial, about 280 km from Hyderabad, is likely to draw 10,000 visitors every year, the one at Nalgonda is set to hit 20,000, being about 100 km closer to the city.
Both projects are set to create 200 direct jobs for residents in the capacity of drivers, watchmen, housekeeping staff and guides.
Additional indirect job opportunities will be created through setting up of local tours; sale of vegetables and fish to restaurants and through sale of local craft at souvenir shops, Ms Madhavi said.
She further said that TSFDC wants to manage visits to the sites in a circuitous way. It plans to provide transport and logistics support to the winning bidder, with the support of residents and the local administration. “Two circuits are proposed with one-day and twoday tours for tourists visiting these places,” Ms Madhavi said.
“There is also a proposal for a facility that will cater to the needs of a large group of tourists from IT and corporate sectors for official meetings, get-togethers and for small-size parties in the calmness of nature at the secluded site. We have entered into the field of development of eco-tourism with investment from private entrepreneurs for developing infrastructure and tourist amenities. The corporation is also making its own investments in some of the new projects to provide pollution-free entertainment and environment to the public and also to create public awareness for protection of environment.”
She added: “All animate and inanimate objects on earth are inter-related. Each time a species becomes extinct, man moves closer to his own destruction. TSFDC has taken this small initiative to inculcate the importance of conservation of flora and fauna by making people spend time amid nature and away from the chaos of city life.”
Defining eco-tourism, she said: “It is a responsible travel to natural areas, where environment is conserved and helps improve welfare of residents.”