The Hindu Business Line : APTDC's weekend tours to Maredumilli

In its endeavour to promote eco tourism, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is organising weekend tours from here to Maredumilli, a picturesque spot in the forest ranges of East Godavari, beginning from October 21.

Mr Jeevan Prasad, Divisional Manager, APTDC, said here in a statement that the "jungle jaunt" would begin here at 6 a.m. every Saturday. The tourists would be taken to Rajahmundry in a bus, with a halt at Annavaram at the famous Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami temple en route. The bus is scheduled to reach Maredumilli at 4 p.m. The tourists will be taken to various spots such as Kartikavanam, Madani Kunj and Jalatarangini.

A stretch of forest, developed under the World Bank-aided AP Community Forest Management Project, is the centre of attraction. It has a 250-hectare Vali-Sugriva medicinal plants conservation area in which 203 medicinal plants and wild varieties are being grown.

According to mythology and local legend, there is a spot in the area where the fight between Vali and Sugriva, the two brothers in Ramayana, is supposed to have taken place. The tourists would spend the night at a camp in the jungle, surrounded by streams and nocturnal creatures, with the forest guards and trained Girijans taking care of the security aspect, says Mr Jeevan Prasad.

A special non-vegetarian dish (chicken boiled in bamboo spears) forms part of the cuisine and special tribal dances will be arranged for the benefit of tourists, he adds.

On the return trip on Sunday, a river cruise in the Godavari will be arranged in the afternoon and tourists will be taken to the Sir Arthur Cotton Museum. They will be brought back to Vizag by 10 p.m .on Sunday.

APTDC would charge Rs 2,000 for an adult and Rs 1,600 for a child for the tour. As an inaugural offer, which lasts for a month, a concession of Rs 300 is being offered.

Reservation can be obtained at the RTC complex (Phone. 0891-2788820) or at the railway station (0891- 2788821).

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