Alluring remoteness of Bejjur

For those who are inclined towards exploring new places, the remoteness of Bejjur mandal in Adilabad district can be quite alluring. Its thick vegetation and water bodies are not only a treat to the eye but are home to a host of wild flora, fauna and birds.

Bejjur is also home to the critically endangered vultures which inhabit a cliff called Pala Rapu at a scenic spot on the Peddavagu stream, where it confluences with the Pranahita river about a km away from Nandigam village. The place is worth a visit just to see the scavenger birds, whose numbers are gradually increasing.

The adventure, however, lies in the fact that the place, located in a far flung corner in the north-east of the district, has nothing to offer in terms of facilities or comfort like accommodation or food. The quiet environs of the forests nevertheless make up for lack of facilities.

The permission of the Forest Department is a must to enter the Reserve Forests of Bejjur, especially the vulture habitat. This will also ensure that the Department facilitates proper exploration by providing local guides.

Birds like the painted and open bill storks, moorhens, cormorants, purple heron, pied kingfisher, white throated kingfisher, black capped kingfisher, shell ducks, sandpipers, treepies of two types, golden orioles, black shouldered kites, falcons, white eyed buzzards, grey jungle fowl and night jars etc. can be seen in the vast landscape, forests and the water bodies in the interior mandal. There are a number of wild animals including the wild boar, langurs, leopards and sloth bear.

The Bokkevagu tank near Penchikalpet village has water birds coming to it in enormous numbers. Only a few species like the painted storks have gone scarce since last monsoon owing to the deficit rainfall.

Visitors must also see Talai, a village located on the banks of Pranahita river, about 15 km from the mandal headquarters. “We are trying to start boating in the river near this village,” revealed Bejjur Forest Range Officer M. Ram Mohan as he spoke about the tourism potential of his mandal.