When it becomes an ecotourism hub in tune with the kind of development being planned, the picturesque Kumram Bheem Reservoir will be like a jewel in the crown of Telangana. The KB Project is located in the north of the State nestled in a bowl formed by the hills surrounding it on all sides.
Asifabad and its surroundings have been identified as a cluster for development of ecotourism under the Union Government’s Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission.
About ₹10 crore is sanctioned for development of such projects, a major portion of which will be spent for ecotourism aspects at the reservoir and its surroundings which are no less scenic now.
“We will prepare the detailed project report on development of the place as an ecotourism hub within 45 days and submit it for approval to the Rural Development Ministry,” revealed District Collector Prashant J. Patil.
“We propose to develop boating, fishing and water sports at the reservoir and more in the forest close to the intake well of the Mission Bhagiratha or Telangana Drinking Water Network which may cost about ₹8 crore,” he added.
At present, about 340 fishermen families belonging to Kerameri, Ada, Asifabad, Nishani, Ringanghat, Saleguda, Sawarkheda, Surdhapur and Anjiguda villages located around the project eke out a living through fishing.
“The per family catch of fishing is not at all commensurate with the effort we put in to catch the fish,” observed Hode Vasudev, president of the Gangaputra Sangham, an organisation of the local fishermen community while giving a reason for the Government to induce some kind of different economic activity.
The reservoir with an expanse of about 2 sq km is an excellent place for water sports, especially boating.
If trained properly, the fishermen youth can generate income from this activity.
Education in the local communities is dismal and none has completed even under graduation, according to Vasudev. “All the youth are engaged in fishing,” he added.
The forest on the north-eastern side of the project is prime place for experiencing nature from close quarters while ecotourism cottages can be constructed along the intake well of the Mission Bhagiratha and the shoreline. The beautiful Pochamma cave temple in the natural rock formation in the hillock closeby will be an added attraction for visitors.
The beautification of the path leading to the cave temple will have increased activity for the Kolam tribals who worship the deity of goddess Pochamma.
This can even lead to improved economic activity for the poor Adivasis.
