Bird-watching cabin opens at Puligundala, boosting eco-tourism in Telangana

The Puligundala ecotourism site in Telangana now features a dedicated bird-watching cabin for observing 65 species. The initiative, part of the 2025 eco-tourism project, includes trekking trails, luxury cottages, tent camping, and forest safaris to promote wildlife conservation.

Khammam: Taking a significant stride towards promotion of wildlife conservation and eco-tourism, the district forest department has established a dedicated bird-watching cabin at the picturesque Puligundala ecotourism site.

The Puligundala project, located in Kanakagiri reserve forest block spread in Khammam and Kothagudem districts, is credited with rich biodiversity and ecological distinctiveness. As many as 65 bird species have been identified in the forest spread over 20,000 hectares.

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The facility has been designed and set up to allow nature lovers, researchers, as well as birdwatchers to observe birds, their habitats, lifestyles and behaviours through glass windows of the cabin with the help of binoculars or cameras.

The visitors could enjoy the aesthetic pleasure the birds offer, all without causing any disturbance or harm to the birds’ natural environment or the surrounding ecosystem, said the District Forest Officer Siddharth Vikram Singh.

The Telangana forest department invites all nature lovers to come and enjoy the scenic beauty of Puligundala and to join hands in the conservation of our natural heritage, the DFO added.

The cabin is constructed close to a pond near Hastala Veeranna statue on Puligundala- Bendalapdu route. It was at the pond Blue-eared Kingfisher was first sighted in Telangana, informed Puligundala deputy forest range officer Suresh Kumar.

Black-winged Pike, Rufous Woodpecker, White-rumped Munia, Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher and Black-rumped Shama are the bird species one could find in the forests. Another site has also been identified to set up a second bird-watching cabin, he said.

It might be noted that as part of the eco-tourism initiative launched in 2025, the district forest department, along with the district administration, has developed trekking trails, viewpoints and selfie-points besides forest safari in the forest area.

The department recently developed four luxury eco-tourist cottages with air-conditioning, two non-luxury tent houses to promote eco-tourism and a canteen. Arrangements were also made for night camping with a provision to pitch as many as 40 tents at a time.