After six AC cottages and an environment centre came up at Tadvai, tourists are making a beeline for the place, which is part of the Eturunagram Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading over an area of 806 sqkm in Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu districts. This is one of the travelling marvel in Telangana state.
The Forest Department’s efforts to promote ecotourism are yielding good results. While Laknavaram and Bogatha waterfalls are attracting tourists even from other States, the facilities offered and activities taken up at Tadvai huts are making Tadvai another tourist attraction.
After six AC cottages and an environment centre came up at Tadvai, tourists are making a beeline for the place, which is part of the Eturunagram Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading over an area of 806 sqkm in Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu districts. While five cottages are for visitors, one is for officials. Two adults can stay in each cottage, for which Rs 2,000 is charged for 24 hours. The package also includes lunch, dinner and breakfast.
“People can visit the website and book the rooms online,” Ecotourism Coordinator Kalyanapu Suman told #KhabarLive. “If there is a child aged around 10 years, Rs 1,000 is charged for him/her,” he added.
Visitors (nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, trekkers and birders) can visit the Environmental Education Centre (EEC) set up at the Tadvai huts. They can learn about the flora and fauna of the wildlife sanctuary at the centre. “And here in the museum, you can find information about tribal lifestyle of the area, cultural heritage, reptile diversity, flying treasure, beautiful squirrels, massive animals, largest deer, camera traps etc,” Suman added.
The Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary contains predominantly timber species such as teak (Tectona grandis) and Nallamaddi (Terminalia alata). It is the habitat of both herbivorous and carnivorous fauna besides harbouring a variety of avian fauna. The keystone species in the sanctuary are giant squirrel and Indian gour.
While the tribal shrine of Sammakka-Sarakka of Medaram is situated in the dense forests of the sanctuary about 20 km away from Tadvai, those interested in the history can visit the Dameravai megalithic burials, also known as dolmens, believed to 5,000 years old. People can also ride a 21-speed mountain bike deep into the forest along a specially-prepared 5-km-long route.
Along this trail, viewing locations have been prepped for Sambar and other wildlife. Those walked the trail are loving it. “Cycling inside a forest was a fabulous experience and I agree, this has become a must-visit location for any nature lover,” Aravind Arya, a nature lover and adventure enthusiast.
While the facilities for cycling and trail-walking are already attracting tourists, the officials are also providing paraphernalia for camping in the forest mainly at the blackberry island, located about 12 km away from the cottages at Tadvai.
Visitors can also have a panoramic view of the forest and the Jampanna vagu (stream) from Kondeti viewpoint, located 23 km away from the cottage (hut modelled ones).
“As of now, we are receiving adequate bookings for the cottages,” Suman said, adding that they were planning to introduce jungle safari vehicle soon. “Since Tadvai is located on National Highway 163 (Hyderabad to Bhopalpatnam), which leads to Bogatha waterfalls in Wazeedu, the tourists who come from Hyderabad may stay for a night at the cottages of the Tadvai either on their way to the falls or during the return journey,” he added. #KhabarLive
