Forest Department bans visitors from accessing viral ‘Sirpur Hill Station’ in Mancherial
The Forest Department has banned visitors from a picturesque hillock near Hudkili village in Mancherial after videos of the location went viral on social media. Officials cited tiger movement and wildlife protection, while influencers urged authorities to promote ecotourism.
Mancherial: The Forest Department has banned visitors from accessing a picturesque hillock in the Sirpur (T) reserve forests that recently became a social media sensation, triggering disappointment among nature enthusiasts and influencers.
Located near Hudkili village, the lesser-known hillock is nestled amid dense forests and surrounded by lakes, offering panoramic views of the landscape. The spot gained widespread attention after videos of trains passing through the scenic terrain went viral on Instagram and other social media platforms, prompting visitors to flock to the location, popularly dubbed the “Sirpur Hill Station.”
Forest officials said the hillock falls within a reserve forest and prohibited entry, citing the movement of tigers and the need to protect wildlife. They warned that trespassers would face cases under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and that violators would be arrested.
The department also cautioned against trekking to the hillock, stating that the increasing migration of tigers from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve into Telangana forests has made the area unsafe. Officials maintained that human activity in the region could endanger both visitors and wildlife conservation efforts.
The ban has drawn criticism from social media influencers and nature lovers from Sirpur (T), Kagaznagar, Asifabad and other parts of Telangana. They argued that the hillock could be developed into a tourist destination with basic amenities and better road connectivity from Sirpur (T), generating revenue for the government.
The influencers urged the Forest Department to lift the ban and promote ecotourism in the district. They said local residents could be involved in the initiative by serving as tourist guides and offering affordable accommodation, creating employment opportunities for the surrounding communities.
