Identifying tourism as a growth engine in the services sector, Andhra Pradesh Government plans to set up one eco-tourism project in each district.

Having included tourism part of the service sector mission, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu suggested creating eco-tourism parks by transforming forest lands in the urban areas as biodiversity conservation zones. These zones could then be developed into eco-tourism parks.

At a review meeting on tourism at Secretariat, the Chief Minister suggested developing reservoirs at Gandikota and opening them up for tourists. This will not just promote the tourism, but also increase passenger traffic at Kadapa Airport.

The tourism department was directed to develop Nagarjuna Sagar, Nagarjunakonda and Buddhist monasteries at Amaravati in Guntur district along with modernisation of islands and Bhavani Island. Some of these projects could be developed with the help of Singapore companies around Amaravati as they have potential to attract tourists.

He also suggested organising the Flamingo festival in Nellore district’s Pulicat and Nelapattu.

The Government felt that an investment of Rs 100 crore in the Kakinada-Konaseema project can generate revenue of Rs 300 crore through tourism.

About 10 companies are keen to start water sports at all the State beaches. Land has been identified to be developed as beach resorts.

In the temple tourist sites, preparations are underway for organising sound and light shows at Kanipakam, Srikalahasti, Puttaparthi, Annavaram and Simhachalam.

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