AP govt to develop Ecopark

Hyderabad, Oct 14: The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) proposes to create a Rs 16 crore Eco-Park, 57 km from Kadapa town road in the Idupulapaya Reserve Forest area, to develop eco-tourism..

The forest department on made this proposal to Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on thursday, an official release said here.

The Eco-park would be developed in an area of 160 Hectare Acre (HA) containing three components - the Botanical Garden in 50 HA costing Rs 8.40 crore would include 3000 species, a Bird Park in 5 HA costing Rs 60 lakh and Herbivore, Deer Safari Park&Fodder Plot in 90 HA at Rs 3.31 crore - common infrastructure costing costing Rs 1.45 crore and a base camp amenities in 10 HA area government land at Rs 2.20 crore. Ten ethnic cottages, a restaurant, a 50 bedded dormitory and open amphitheatre are proposed to be developed in the base camp.

In all 82 animals, including 14 Sambar deer, eight Neelgai deer, 30 spotted deer, six Gaur and 24 Black Bucks are proposed in the Deer Safari. Similarly, birds like pea fowls, horn bills, ostrich, parrots, pheasants and Indian jungle fowl would be introduced in the bird park. The botanical garden would be developed on the lines of the one at Kolkata with 3000 species, including bamboo, cactus, exotic plants, palms and species commonly found in Nallamala and Seshachalam hills.

UNI