Nivedita Ganguly
Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park is fast emerging a hot spot for adventure seekers
VISAKHAPATNAM: Ever nursed a passion for clambering nimbly over rocks, trekking as far as your legs can take you or sliding down a rope across the flowing river? Then, head straight to Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park. Situated at a few minutes drive from the city, the park is fast emerging as a hotspot for day-trippers and adventure seekers.
Latest
The latest adventure sport introduced at the Park is river crossing. With the joint initiative of Adventure Zone and the Forest Department, the sport was launched at the Park on Saturday.
“This is a first of its kind in the region and will be a great source of fun for all the enthusiastic tourists,” Divisional Forest Officer and in-charge of the Park P.J. Vijaykar told The Hindu.
Trained professionals will be there to offer tips to the visitors and ensure safety. “Safety is the topmost priority. Hence instead of using mountaineering ropes, thick metal ropes have been placed,” said Jestin of Adventure Zone.
The activity will become a regular feature in a week’s time. A nominal charge of Rs.50 and Rs.25 is fixed for an adult and a child respectively. The length of the crossing is more than 80 metres.
The sport requires tremendous stamina because you have to pull your body along the rope. But since it is being taken up as a fun-cum-adventure sport at the Park, one just has to hold on the rope and slide down to the other end of the river.
Other facilities
Several other facilities have also been added in the Park in the recent past. The cafeteria wears a new look with the amphitheatre nearing completion.
Though night facility has not yet been started, group parties and conferences can be held in the evening with special permission from the Forest Department.
“We take special lunch or dinner orders for parties and have also introduced a wide range of veg and non-veg snacks at the cafeteria,” said Girija Shankar, in-charge of the cafeteria.
The proposed night safari at the Park will soon start in a month’s time.
“The complete plan has been etched out. We just need a group of trained guides to start the safari,” said the Conservator of Forest P.V. Padmanabham.
The other facilities already started in the Park are fishing, boating and trekking.