Tourism team visits crocodile sanctuary, Yellampalli, Gandhari Khilla in Mancherial

Tourism officials and experts conducted a field visit to key locations in Mancherial district to assess their potential for development. The team inspected the Shivvaram sanctuary, Yellampalli project and Gandhari Khilla and plans to submit a report to the government

Mancherial: A team comprising tourism officials and experts conducted a field visit to the Shivvaram crocodile sanctuary, Sripada Yellampalli project and historic Gandhari Khilla to assess the potential to develop the nature wonders and the project into tourist spots on Friday.

Led by Tanya Srivastava, in-charge district Tourism Officer G Hanumantha Reddy and others inspected the three spots. They surveyed which amenities could be created at the sanctuary situated at Shivvaram village in Jaipur mandal, the project at Gudipet in Hajipur mandal and the ancient fort on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta in Mandamarri mandal.

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The officials said that they would submit a comprehensive report to the government incorporating facilities such as accommodation, boating and camping to be created at the spots to attract tourists by taking suggestions from experts. They opined that the scenic attractions had the potential to become major tourist centres in the district, fetching income to the government and creating livelihoods for locals.

According to proposals recently prepared by the tourism officials, Sripada Yellampalli irrigation Project (SYP), Gandhari Khilla or fort and the ancient Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Devasthanam (SSSD) located on a hillock near Gudem in Dandepalli mandal were to be converted into wedding destinations. Some of the amenities proposed included catering areas or kitchen zones, dining areas, housekeeping, security personnel, CCTV surveillance, event coordination services, landscaping, fountains, decorative lighting, murals, boating, jet ski and adventure sports.

Incidentally, none of these spots have been developed by the tourism department so far, indicating the apathy of the government in promoting tourism.