The Chaparai waterfalls, a major tourist attraction in the Agency area of Visakhapatnam district, is likely to become a hub for adventure sports, district officials said.
Officials of the Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) said that they have proposed the setting up of an adventure zone and other basic amenities for tourists at the popular picnic spot. Paderu Sub-Collector G. Venkateswar said that an adventure sports agency will visit the waterfalls in Dumbriguda mandal soon in this regard.
“The team would conduct a feasibility study over what kind of adventure sports can be conducted in the area. Activities like Burma Bridge are possible. Work would be launched after a detailed plan. If not this year, we would make sure that the adventure zone is made available for tourists by the next season,” Mr. Venkateswar said.
Short-term plans
The Burma Bridge is an adventure activity that involves walking across a rope bridge strung high across a stream. Participants are required to wear a safety harness.
With the tourism season already having begun, officials have planned to set up toilets, drinking water kiosks, and changing rooms for tourists within the next two weeks. The decision to introduce the amenities was taken after a series of complaints from tourists. Hawkers’ sheds will be also be removed and shifted to permanent places near the tourist spot, officials said.
“Warning boards would be put at vulnerable spots. Rescue tubes would also be kept in these areas to be used in case of any incident. Parking spaces will be provided to avoid traffic congestion. Saplings will be planted and priority would be laid on cleanliness,” Mr. Venkateswar said.
“The villagers are awarded the contracts of all business activities at the tourist spot through auctioning. They maintain the waterfalls through their income. However, ITDA will always be on hand to provide help,” Mr. Venkateswar said.
Security issues
Many tourists visiting Chaparai waterfalls with their families said that they had to make a hasty retreat as there were several visitors who were openly drinking alcohol and partying at the waterfalls.
Acknowledging the issue, a senior police officer said that it was difficult to provide visible law enforcement in the area.
“It is tough to conduct visible policing in the Agency area due to the threat of Maoists. The waterfalls is just a few kilometres from the spot where former MLAs Kidari Sarveswara Rao and Siveri Soma were gunned down by the Maoists. However, we will ask locals who are maintaining the tourist spot not to allow picnickers to consume liquor,” the police officer said.
