Murmure Dashrath, a farmer from Busimetta camp village on top of the Kerameri ghats in Adilabad district, has turned an enterprising tea salesman thanks to the renovated watch towers on top of the scenic hills. His metamorphosis, albeit temporary, also signifies the dynamics of tourism at the grassroots level which needs to be reproduced across this environmental haven of a district.
“I found it appropriate to open a tea stall given the number of people stopping by to view the scenery from the view point,” observes Dashrath, who tills a field right opposite the place. “My hunch proved right as I am selling about 100 cups of tea and between 30 to 40 plates of mirchi bhajji besides a score of biscuit packs every day,” he adds, even as he grins widely.
In fact, the number of people stopping to take in the superb view of the valley has increased substantially because of Dashrath’s tea stall. Those who stop by for a cup of steaming tea invariably climb atop the watch tower. “We are travelling to Asifabad from Utnoor on a bike only to enjoy the enchanting beauty of the place. We stopped by on seeing the tea stall and found the view point,” says Md. Ayub Khan, a businessman from Nirmal.
The credit for initiating this tourism dynamics goes to Adilabad Chief Conservator of Forest T.P. Thimma Reddy.
One of the first tasks he took up after taking charge last year was to carry out repairs to the view points-watch towers on top of the Kerameri ghats in Jainoor mandal and on Mahabub ghats in Nirmal mandal.
The scenic ghats will attract more passersby once the road between Utnoor and Asifabad is widened as a double lane carriageway. “It could also do with some more benches so that travellers can sit and spend some time,” suggested Md. Feroze Khan, another of Dashrath’s customers.
