The forest department is planning to develop eco-tourism projects at various places in north Andhra region, including Araku, Anantagiri, and Sarugudu, besides other places, to attract tourists. It is also mulling cottages in forests.
The department plans to provide a different feel to the tourists with forest accommodation. We are planning to provide a night stay in the forests so that the tourists will get the unique experience of making their night halt in the deep forest. Around 10 to 12 cottages would come up in the forest area in Anantagiri, close to Araku, chief conservator of forest, Srikanthanatha Reddy, said.
The project would be taken up with around 5 crore and it would come up in the next two years. The department has already held discussions with the AP Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for land in coffee plantations in Anantagiri, which is a picturesque place. The APFDC has reportedly agreed to give the required land to the forest department.