Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is a state that has gracefully coalesced history, nature and modern ingredients to present a travel destination that offers a rare mélange of experiences to the discerning traveller. Hyderabad, the capital of the state for instance has the peculiar identity of being in balance with contemporary and history along with a harmonious natural abundance. The state has also been bounteously gifted by nature in the form of hills and valleys of the Eastern Ghats, a vast coastline and dry-deciduous forests. Making the most of the natural gifts, Andhra Pradesh tourism has plunged into eco-tourism and has come up with a number of projects. Conscious efforts have been made to preserve the natural beauty and environment while creating infrastructure and facilities for tourists that fit in with the natural surroundings.

Thus, there is a Jungle Bells nature camp at Tyda high in the Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district; Tiger Wilds jungle camp at Farahabad in Mahboobnagar district, amidst the forests of the Nallamala Hills; enhancement of the beauty of the Belum Caves in Kurnool district and the Borra Caves near Visakhapatnam, through tasteful illumination. Landscaping of waterfalls and surrounding areas at Talakona in Chittoor district and Ethipothala near Nagarjunasagar and a lake resort at Durgam Cheruvu abutting Hi-Tec City near Hyderabad.

These are only a few of the projects that have been undertaken for eco-tourism and adventure. AP tourism has, apart from creating facilities for camping in the wilds, facilitated trekking, rappelling and pleasure cruises on lakes and rivers.

Andhra Pradesh is situated on the Deccan (south) plateau - one of the oldest geological formations in India. The mighty Godavari and Krishna rivers cut their way through the plateau, forming large deltas before entering the Bay of Bengal. Thus, the state is aptly termed as the 'Rice Granary of India'. Nevertheless, eco-tourism has given a new dimension to tourism in Andhra Pradesh and utilisation of the natural beauty to the optimum while keeping up social obligation and commitment to conserve and preserve the ecology and environment is being considered to be of utmost importance in the state.

Andhra Pradesh is endowed with a rich and varied bio-diversity distributed over a mosaic of different habitats spread over the Eastern Ghats, the Deccan Plateau region, the coastal mangroves, the fresh water bodies like Kolleru and Brackish water bodies like the Pulicat and the grasslands of Rollapadu. These varied habitats have been supporting a variety of animal and plant species ranging from the Tiger, Gaur, Elephant, Black Buck, and a variety of Deers and Antelopes, besides a variety of birds, including the great Indian Bustard the Spot Bill Pelican, the Lesser Florican and the near extinct Jerdon's Courser. In addition to the above faunal species, the forests of Andhra Pradesh support about 5,000 plant species consisting of species like teak, rosewood, sandalwood, and the endemic red sanders and cycas beddomeii and a lot more.

The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary (3,568 sq km) lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna. Kolleru lake is another important destination ensconced between two major river basins of the rivers Godavari and Krishna and functions as a natural flood-balancing reservoir between the two deltas. It serves as a habitat for various resident and migratory birds besides sustaining fishing, agriculture and related occupations of the people dependent on it for livelihood. Part of the lake has been declared as a wildlife sanctuary recently with a view to protect the flora, fauna and the eco-system.

The Eco-Initiatives

• The main activities involved in eco-tourism are non-consumptive like bird watching, trekking, nature trails, river rafting and more importantly mere watching of the scenic beauty of the hills, valleys, meadows, water bodies and learning to live in sync with nature.
• The government of Andhra Pradesh has initiated an action plan to conserve the bio-diversity and promote eco-tourism in the state with the participation of the private sector. The government has also issued orders for the development of eco-tourism in 12 sanctuaries and three zoological parks in the state initially. The AP Forest Development Corporation Ltd has been entrusted with the task of implementation of these eco-tourism projects through private sector participation.
• The 3,500-acre campus of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) may become an agro-eco-tourism destination in the near future once a feasibility study results are positive.
• Jungle Bells is the name of the first eco-tourism camp in Andhra Pradesh, at Tyda amidst the Anantagiri Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Visakhapatnam. Jungle Bells is conceived to be an eco-tourism wilderness camp designed on the lines of local tribal architecture and ethnic designs. The basic elements of construction of cottages in the tribal communities of the locality are thatched or tiled roofs and mud or timber walls.

The Eco-Projects Borra Caves

These are located between Tyda and Araku come the Borra Caves, just 15 km before the valley. The caves in the hills are millions of years old and in their inner recesses naturally hold innumerable stalactites and stalagmites that date back millions of years. It was a decade ago that Andhra Pradesh tourism undertook the task of beautifying the limestone caves and initiated a project to illuminate the entire cave system. Soft lighting has been provided to project the formations in all their natural beauty. Pathways have been created for the convenience of visitors. A waiting room and a restaurant has also been constructed.

Belum Caves

Located in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, the Belum Caves are million years old and constitute the longest cave system in the plains. From the earth surface three well like cavities mark Belum Caves and a descent of about 10 metres from the centre cavity leads one to the spectacle of nature. The main passage of the cave, after the descent is a horizontal one and the length of the passage of the caves made accessible to the public is upto 2.1 km. The caves are full of formations - stalagmites, stalactites, fresh water galleries and siphons. APTDC in a unique concept took up the charge of Belum caves and provided facilities to conveniently view the unique spectacle of nature. APTDC cleared the slush, created pathways and provided soft eco-friendly illumination to enhance the beauty of the natural formations. Oxygen shafts have also been laid in the innermost recesses of the caves.

Durgam Cheruvu

Hyderabad is surrounded by hills and rocks, which are millions of years old. The Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills areas of Hyderabad are full of rocks and at the edge of Jubilee Hills is the Durgam Cheruvu, in a bowl amidst rock formations. This lake used to supply water to the Golconda Fort and hence its name, for 'durgam' means fort and 'cheruvu' means lake in Telugu. However, due to its hidden location amidst rocks, it was called the 'secret lake'. Today, it is a major eco-tourism project undertaken by AP tourism.

Talakona

Located about 40 km from the temple town of Tirupati is the Talakona Waterfall, amidst verdant hills of the Nallamala Range that nestle the abode of 'Balaji' Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. AP tourism has ambitious plans for the waterfall that is visited by thousands of pilgrims visiting Tirupati and Tirumala. To give a more breath-taking view of the 270 ft falls, AP tourism plans to have a treetop restaurant and 'machan' - type accommodation for tourists so that they take in more of the beauty of the place.

Bhavani

Bhavani Island is spread over 130-acres in the River Krishna just the entrance to Vijayawada city in a reservoir created by the Prakasam Barrage. As it is upstream of the barrage amidst safe and placid waters, a number of projects are being planned on the island, with low-intensity construction. AP tourism has already introduced pleasure trips to the island and has picnic packages for school children and other groups. In the larger scheme of things, it is proposed to provide a foreshore facility at Berm Park in the wooded area that lies towards the northern end of the island, as an embarkation point for the island. The wooded area has excellent potential as an eco-tourism resort as the marshy area can be cleared and converted into a lake, surrounded by log or wooden cottages.

It is also proposed to implement the following eco-tourism projects in the near future.

• Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Vizag
• Sri Venkateshwara Zoo Park, Tirupathi
• Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park, Hyderabad
• Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary, Sangareddy
• Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Nellore
• Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, Nellore Dist.
• Sri Venkateshwara National Park, Tirupathi
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakinada
• Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Mannanur & Bairluty)
• Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Rollapadu
• Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Warangal Dist
• Keesaragutta/Ghatkesar E.T.P., Hyderabad

The eco-tourism projects in Andhra Pradesh implemented by APFDC Ltd, Hyderabad are operated on the principle of the 'design, build, finance and operate' (DBFO) model with the participation of private developers. The developers are given specific concession for the above purpose to operate in the reserve forest without any rights of ownership on the land or other assets created and are allowed to recoup their expenditure before the end of the concession period. In conclusion, one could certainly add that AP tourism is definitely on the eco-trail.

By Vyas Sivanand