HYDERABAD: After setting-up an eco-tourism centre at Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park near Autonagar, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC), is now coming up with a similar project at Shameerpet Deer Park.

Under Private Public Participation, the Rs. 1.50-crore project has been taken up by Salivahana Construction, which has floated a special purpose vehicle for the concept. The work began this month and is expected to be complete in a year's time, according to corporation officials.

The deer park is spread over 54 acres and the eco-tourism centre is coming up on a five-acre base camp. About 24 km from the city and close to the popular picnic spot, the park has about 100 spotted deer.

Facilities

The centre when ready will have ten cottages, dormitories, a restaurant, tenting facility and an environmental education centre. The other features to be incorporated include a canopy walk, which will have a suspended sort of bridge atop the tree crown. "It will offer a different experience taking a stroll atop trees and also provides a good view," the official said.

A safari drive along the park periphery offering a clear view of the deer inside will be part of the project for which a drive path will be laid.

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