The famous Kuntala and Pochera waterfalls in Adilabad district cry for attention as they are hit by gross negligence in terms of maintenance of surroundings.
At Kuntala, the problem is litter at the top of the waterfall and its foot while at Pochera, visitors have no roof to keep themselves safe from rain and its small gardens have plants drying up rapidly.
Thanks to relaying of roads the picturesque places located in Neredigonda mandal are easily approachable now. Visitors however, find it difficult to spend more than an hour or two at either places owing to the gathering litter.
G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, executive director at Centre for Sustainable Agriculture was very critical of the debris left behind by the film shooting unit at the foot of the Kuntala waterfall when he visited the place recently.
A conservationist that he is, he wants the debris which includes the toxic Plaster of Paris, cleared soon.
At Pochera, the smaller of the two falls, there is need for raising the gardens again and constructing some rooms for visitors besides erecting cooking sheds for those who like to cook their own food. The existing guest house should be well maintained and be kept open for visitors.
The view point above the guest house needs to have some seating as it offers a view of the beautiful surroundings. Sightings of wild animals can be made from the view points at dawn and dusk.
Though Kuntala lacks in any facility for children to play, there is a children’s playground at Pochera. There is need for addition of items of play in this park besides of course maintaining it properly.
Inquiries reveal that the watchman, assisted by two others, deployed by the Forest Department at Pochera for maintenance has not received salary for the last five months.
This is enough of a hint for the department as to where to begin when it comes to maintaining the scenic places.
