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Enchanting eco-tourist spot

Nestled in the Eastern Ghats overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the Kambalakonda Wild Life Sanctuary is slowly turning into a tourist hotspot, writes NIVEDITA GANGULY

PHOTOS: K.R.DEEPAK

EXPLORING JOY A trekking trail and tents have been putup at Kambalkonda Wildlife Sanctuary

The slanting rays of the sun accentuate the folds and valleys. The distant grasslands take on a golden hue as the sun, like a sliver of fire, slides behind the ranges. It is a world beyond the vast expanse of concrete structures of the city.

Hundreds of plant species struggle toward the sun, clinging and creeping over their taller neighbours, colonising their trunks and feeding on their fallen leaves.

Here and there, narrow paths lead into the forest floor made by the million tiny legs of army and leaf-cutter ants. Palm-sized colourful butterflies flit between flowers.

If you are lucky, you can spot many beautiful and rare birds peeping through the leaves of the trees. There are about 150 species of birds such as tree pie, lapwing, brahmini kite, pariah kite, bellied eagle, partridges, bulbul, bee-eaters and flycatchers.

Welcome to the green expanse of Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. Nestled on the Eastern Ghats overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the place, just 12 km. from the metro, the place is slowly turning into a hot tourist spot with all the latest developments, strictly following the concept of eco-tourism.

Spread over an extent of 7,139 hectares, the place supports a dry deciduous forest with the spread varying from dense to thin foliage, and scattered grasslands with water bodies harbouring rich flora and fauna. Around 80 hectares of the area is marked as Nature Park. Many nature-based activities like trekking and bird watching have been developed in the area.

As you enter the place, two sharp contrasting sounds can be felt. The intensifying silence of the valley is an instant tranquiliser.

At the same time if you listen more intently, you cannot help but be drawn to the primordial sounds, following the trails to the forest's edge. Finding yourself on the top of a cliff with three tents around, you know that you have finally arrived.

These tents were installed earlier this year, with a view to providing the visitors a more relaxing experience. Charged at Rs.150 a tent, the visitors can enjoy the panoramic view and the scenic beauty of the place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chances of panthers straying inside the sanctuary after dark cannot be ruled out. "We want to ensure that the people's safety is not compromised.

Hence there is no night-stay provision at this stage," says Divisional Forest Officer Ratnakar Jauhari. Going by the overwhelming response of the visitors, he hints at four more tents getting installed by this year-end.

Trained people from the village of Sambhuvanipalem work as guides, security guards and caretakers. "This is a community-based eco-tourism project wherein the infrastructure is compatible with nature and it also ensures the involvement of the local communities to make them self-sustaining," avers Jauhari.

At a time when forest issues have become a central subject of a heated debate in the face of pressing environmental ills, community forestry has become an important strategy. Booming eco-tourism in areas of pristine natural resources, such as forests, may have a negative impact by degrading forest resources and disrupting local communities' socio-cultural assets.

"On the other hand, eco-tourism also provides an economic benefit to local communities and serve as an incentive for forest conservation," says Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Curator Vijay Kumar.

The villagers of Sambhuvanipalem have been trained about the different species of birds and plants and their importance. Adventure lovers can now have their share of fun for the sanctuary provides a 5 km. trekking trail.

On your way amidst the wilderness the trained guides will provide information about the plants and birds. "This facility is still in the initial stages, we plan to make it more organised."

The local community has also proposed to develop a facility for a boat ride to visitors, but it is still under consideration, says Jauhari

"The objective behind this eco-tourism project is also to provide environmental education to the student community and researchers. Local NGOs can surely facilitate this to a great extent," adds Vijay Kumar.

Jauhari asserts: "What we foresee for this village is the initiatives that will help local communities to improve their livelihood.

Establishing nature-based tourist activities will take some time and require hard work, particularly by all those concerned.

But if we succeed in the ultimate protection of the park, the local communities will surely benefit in the long run."

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