Andhra plans eco-tourism in Naxal-infested jungle

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is thinking big and thinking out of the box.

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is thinking big and thinking out of the box. It has decided to turn the Nallamalla forest (home turf of Naxalites) into an adventure and eco-tourism site. It also has ambitious development plans for the Farhabad campsite, which was bombed by Naxalites two years ago.

Officials in the tourism department said the state’s burgeoning economy was asking for variety tourism, which they were willing to provide. “With large number of Maoist cadres abandoning the Nallamalla forest for the Dandakaranya forest it is not difficult to develop it into a tourism spot. And we can now plan big with the IT sector too showing a renewed interest in the state,” said Raymond Peter, Managing Director, APTDC.

The department plans to take the help of Chenchus — local tribals, who are part of the Vana Suraksha Samitis so as not to tamper with the flora and fauna. Having burnt their fingers once (Maoists had raised the Farhabad camp cottages built at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore) — this time they are promoting forest tourism in tents. “We are only involved in marketing the product. The forest department is planning the tent accommodation,” said Peter.

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With there already being plenty in the Nallamalla forest — (the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Wildlife Sancutary is part of this forest and is the largest tiger reserve in the country with over 70 tigers, bears, wild dogs, leopards and a variety of species of deer and birds) the department is hopeful of a positive response. It is also planning eco-tourism activities here, which will include trekking, rappelling and hikes to temples inside the forest. Similar plans are in place for Araku valley, Chittur, Vishakapatnam and Maredmally.

Assuaging evident fears, Peter said the forest tourism plans were not merely based on feedback from the police but from locals as well. The tourism department is however, treading carefully — not going deep inside but concentrating on the periphery as of now. Peter says the campsite should be ready by the end of monsoon.

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