An adventure tourism hub in the making

Facilities to be developed at Tatipudi reservoir at a cost of ₹ 4.3 crore

Para-sailing and other water sports activities will soon come up at Thatipudi reservoir.

Nestled in the lap of the Eastern Ghats, the picturesque Tatipudi reservoir will soon buzz with some exciting adventure and water sports activities.

Situated at a distance of 65 km away from the city near S Kota, the reservoir on River Gosthani has been drawing tourists and weekend revellers for its nature splendour. In what could give further boost to the tourism potential of the place, city based adventure firm Livein Adventures in association with AP Tourism Development Corporation is planning to turn it into a major adventure sports zone with a series of activities on the lines of Kambalakonda.

Starting from the first week of December, adventure sports activities like zip liner, valley crossing, rappling and rock climbing will commence. The adventure tourism project will be developed at a cost of ₹ 4.3 crore starting with the first phase that will be developed with ₹ 50 lakh of investment.

Speaking to

The Hindu , B. Balaram Naidu, director of Livein Adventures, said: “We plan to develop the place in three phases. In the first phase, an adventure zone will be created. As part of that a 200 metre zip liner connecting two hills is being planned apart from other activities.

In the second phase, water zone will be developed with speed boat and other facilities. The final phase will include aqua sports zone like aqua parasailing. Tatipudi reservoir has ideal conditions for carrying out these activities.”

While the adventure zone will be ready from December, the other two zones will be completed by January next year.

For stay facility for tourists, camping zone with 10 tents, with a capacity to accommodate four persons in each, will be ready by December. “Our aim is to capitalise on the tourist traffic coming from Araku by including Tatipudi in the tourism circuit,” Mr Naidu added. Livein Adventures currently conducts adventure sports activities in Kambalakonda and water sports like kayaking at Mangamaripeta. It also has a separate wing for scuba diving.

As part of its plans to develop the tourism circuit in Tatipudi, the adventure firm is planning to reach out to educational institutions like schools and colleges for offering outbound training activities.

Livein Adventures will also be introducing aero adventure activities in Vizag, starting with powered parachute and paratrike at the Mangamaripeta beach.

“We will see how the response to this new activity is and depending on that we will be explore expanding it to Tatipudi reservoir as well,” he added.