The Kambalakonda Eco Tourism Park will be developed into a model eco-tourism project in the State with facilities like camping zones and other activities.
“We have already short-listed five consultants of which one will be finalised by December. Once the consultant is finalised, the DPR will be ready in a month’s time following which work will be commence. We are expecting the renovation work to be completed in three months time,” Chief Conservator of Forest Rahul Pandey told The Hindu , after meeting with a team from World Bank on Tuesday. Under the AP Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP), ₹ 12 crore has been sanctioned for the restoration and renovation of Kambalakonda.
Facilities
Canopy walk, places to rest, view points, a new watch tower, solar powered units and a small interpretation centre highlighting the biodiversity of the forest are some of the facilities that will be focussed in the DPR.
“At present, we will be going ahead with the restoration work of five km wall that was damaged during Hudhud,” Mr Pandey added.
Currently, adventure sports activities like Burma Bridge and zip-liner are being conducted at the eco-tourism park by Livein Adventures.
There are plans to develop an additional 20-km trek route for professional trekkers in addition to the three trek routes in the Park.
The DPR for renovation and restoration work for the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park under the APDRP is under-way and will be completed by December.
“Before that, we want to address three to four areas of restoration work that needs immediate attention. To begin with, a protection wall will be developed at the elephant enclosure. Presently, Krishna elephant is permanently chained due to his erratic behavioural characteristics. Once the protection wall comes up, he can be let out to roam around the enclosure,” Mr Pandey said.
A big walk-through aviary in place of the existing three is also being planned to be developed immediately and tranquillising equipments will be procured soon. The zoo park will also host a stake holder’s conference in November.
