Like the temple of Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala, which is a great resource on which Tirupati banks for its development, Araku and Paderu areas in the Visakha Agency must make best use of their tourism potential, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said during the State function organised here to mark the International Day of World Indigenous Peoples on Tuesday.
“Every area has its own resources, which should be utilised. Araku and Paderu, which are among the most beautiful places, would be developed to attract international tourists,” he said, and mentioned the selfie a group of tourists from Singapore had taken with him here, which indicated the tourist potential of the area.
Mr. Naidu did not broach the issue of bauxite mining though there was a demand that he withdraw GO No. 97.
His observation on the World Tribal Day two years ago that bauxite mining could be beneficial to tribal people sparked f protests from girijans and environmentalists then.
Mr. Naidu said that Araku would be made a tourist, educational and medical hub. He said he would change the face of Pedalabudu, the village he adopted, and Araku within one year.
“I know your problems and will be with you till they are resolved,” he assured.
The World Tribal Day would be celebrated in Araku next year also, he announced.
Explaining the programmes and schemes the government was implementing for better education, health, and all-round prosperity of the girijans in the State, the Chief Minister said that he wanted Araku Coffee to be popular all over the world.
In response to the request made by MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, the Chief Minister announced that the government would supply rugs, sweaters and shoes to schoolchildren during winter and rugs to the elderly.
The government would examine the request to include Konda Kummari in the ST list, he said. Artistes of Dhimsa and another tribal dance form would be provided an opportunity to perform all over the State, he added. The Chief Minister felicitated sarpanch of Ravanapalli in Koyyuru mandal Kalepu Kantamma for making the village open defecation free (ODF).
Ministers Ravela Kishore Babu, Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, and Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Collector Pravin Kumar, MLAs and MLCs participated.
Over 6,000 people attended the meeting.
I know your problems and will be with you till they are resolved
N. Chandrababu Naidu
