Kakinada: A new eco tourism project in the name of `Sree Neelakanteswera Vana Vihara Sthali' is being launched on the lines of Maredumilli project, in the Rampa Vana Samrakshana samithi, which has forest area with water falls.

The Rampa waterfalls and the ancient temple of Lord Shiva are the major tourist attraction. The significance of the eco project was forming all women user group to manage the project. The Government has sanctioned Rs.13 lakhs towards this year's budget and Rs.33 lakhs more next year for creation of infrastructure for attracting tourists and visitors.

District Forest Officer B. Ananda Mohan said the revenue expected from the project was Rs.2.75 lakhs this year and Rs.18 lakhs next year. The women user groups of Rampa VSS were given training in Chilka lake area of Orissa. Guide service training has been provided to members by the World Wild Life Fund.

Good potential

The DFO said the project was having good potential for improving the living standards of indigenous communitiesas it provides better income generation option..

It was proposed as a one-time investment plan and its subsequent maintenance is by way of regenerating resources.

He said main objective behind the project was two fold — to open opportunity for local VSS community to participate in eco tourism development and enable them to manage eco tourism for deriving optimum economic benefits. Under the project, he said, necessary infrastructure would be developed highlighting culturally acceptable and eco-friendly structures by using locally available low cost materials.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail