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Wake up to the chirping of birds

Visit a wildlife sanctuary this weekend to soothe your stressed nerves

PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK

GREEN COVER Visitors enjoying an enchanting view from the watchtower at Kambalakonda

Ever wanted to go for trekking in the green forest, wake up to the chirping of birds or simply experience the pristine serenity of nature on a boat ride at the natural reservoirs? Well, all this is available within just a ten-minute ride from your home. It's a world beyond the vast expanse of concrete structures of the city.

Tucked away in the arms of the Eastern Ghats, Kambalkonda Wild Life Sanctuary can be quite a relaxing place to soothe your stressed nerves after a long hectic week's work. A host of activities have been recently included at the sanctuary to educate the public about eco-tourism and bring them close to nature. Based on the concept of community-based eco-tourism, basic amenities and infrastructure have been developed here turning the sanctuary into a hot tourist spot. The objective of the eco-tourism project is to involve the local communities of Sambhuvanipalem, located inside the reserve forest, in the process of eco-restoration and management of the area. A total of Rs.15 lakhs have been utilized for the development of the sanctuary and another Rs.10 lakhs have been earmarked for future projects. The purpose of the plan is to involve the local people in the development of the eco-tourism, to avoid undue pressure on wildlife, the culture and the land of these people, said the Conservator of Forest P.V. Padmanabham. Spread across 7,139 hectares of area, the place supports dry deciduous forest with the forest area varying from dense to scrub and scattered grasslands with water bodies harbouring rich flora and fauna. The journey through the serpentine forest road ascending through the hilly terrain into the wilderness is a good relief from the otherwise hectic quotidian life. Adventure lovers can hike along the trekking trails flanked by a dense green canopy of trees and shrubs and also experience a cool boat ride at the natural reservoir situated inside the sanctuary. The breathtaking view of the hills and valleys from a watch-tower located within the sanctuary completes the whole experience. There will be a couple of tourist guides who will take the visitors around the forest and tell them more about the different species of birds and animals. Ornithologists can spot a variety of colourful birds amongst the greens. You can get a glimpse of black dango, blue-tailed bee-eater, Indian roller, steaked weaver, red-whiskered bulbul, Indian robin, spot-billed duck and hoopoe.

Right now three tents have been installed here for the visitors to enjoy a day out amidst the green expanse of the place. Five more tents will be ready in a month's time, informed Mr. Padmanabham. Charged at Rs.150 per tent, the visitors can enjoy the panoramic view and the scenic beauty of the place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, night stay facility is not yet available for the general public due to incidences of panthers straying inside the area. Four panthers and a cub have been spotted in the region, he added. "Shortly we are planning to set up an education centre here that will be like a conference hall-cum-museum with display boards providing interesting facts about nature," he said.

NIVEDITA GANGULY

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