The Andhra Pradesh wildlife authorities have designed an eco-tourism project, making a stretch of mangrove cover in the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) a must-visit tourist destination in the State. Realising the tourism potential of the KWS, a stretch of area between Palakayatippa and Hamsaladeevi the sanctuary in Krishna district has been earmarked for the project.
Of late, film shootings are being permitted to highlight the scenic beauty of mangrove cover in the sanctuary.
“The existing buildings at Hamsaladeevi beach will be developed into the Environment Education Centre (EEC). The EEC will comprise a display and voice-responsive system of local resident birds of the sanctuary, apart from displaying the flora,” Eluru Range Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) V. Saibaba told The Hindu . The wildlife authorities plan to replicate the Kolleru Bird Sanctuary model of tourism promotion in the KWS.
Basic amenities
“We are primarily focussed on preventing any disturbance to the existing ecology and mangrove cover in the project area,” said Mr. Saibaba. However, the tourists would get access to all basic amenities, including rest rooms and food, in the proposed project site. The sanctuary has been reportedly witnessing a huge rush of visitors since the Krishna Pushkarams 2016. Of late, documentation of fishing cat, which is thriving in the sanctuary, has helped to draw the attention of the tourists. On the the KWS has a few patches, in which mangrove cover was growing significantly.
Small wooden bridges would be constructed at strategic locations in the sanctuary, allowing the visitors to take a walk through the mangrove forest. “Boating facility will also be developed to leave the visitors to their delight of boating in the backwaters of the sanctuary,” said Mr. Saibaba.
Preliminary investigation has been completed for the project.
