Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has lined up a series of programmes for wildlife officials with a view to promoting tourism in the State.
At a review meeting on ‘A.P. State Board for Wildlife’ at Secretariat on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu asked the officials to develop Kolleru Lake as a tourist destination. He directed the officials to obtain permissions necessary from the Centre in one week and prepare an action plan.
Mr. Naidu said that bird sanctuaries and deer and bear parks should also be developed as tourist spots.
Stating that the Srisailam Tiger Reserve was the largest in the country, Mr. Naidu said it was necessary to attract international and national tourists to it. Officials would have to allow tourists to visit the area and develop it, he said.
Night safari
The Chief Minister further said that urban forestry projects should be completed as per schedule. He also favoured development of one of the hills in Vijayawada as a place for night safari. Check-dams should be constructed in a big way in forests, he said, and asked officials to also strive to increase forest cover considerably.
“Take steps to check red sanders smuggling,” he said.
He said that the officials should make arrangements to supply saplings to people even if requests were made online.
Mango orchards could be developed along the coastline, he suggested.
Special Chief Secretary Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary (forests) G. Anantaramu, and Principal Secretary (tourism) N. Srikanth were present.
