Focus on redevelopment of Kambalakonda park.

The need for conservation of the eco system of Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, while taking up redevelopment of Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park, was stressed by the speakers at the inaugural of a two-day 'consultative workshop' at Novotel hotel recently.

Special Chief Secretary to the AP Government P.V. Ramesh said the redevelopment of the park, being funded by the World Bank, would be taken up at a cost of Rs.12 crore. Describing Visakhapatnam as one of the fastest growing cities, he said the ecologically important eco-system of Kambalakonda was present right in the midst of the city. He called for balance between conservation and development and the need to protect the interests of all the stakeholders.

Mr. Ramesh said the World Bank team could play a great role in bringing the best development practices being adopted across the globe. He underlined the importance of protecting the livelihood of the marginalised communities, living in villages in and around the forests.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests S.B.L. Mishra said there were plans to develop the eco-parks and bird sanctuaries in the State to attract tourists in a big way.

World Bank Co-Task Team leader Neha Vyas expressed optimism that the Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park could be developed as a model for the entire State. The development works, to be taken up in an extent of 107.73 hectares, at the eco-park include water bodies along the pathways, raising of medicinal plants, construction of check dams, construction of eco-friendly cottages, rest rooms, a children’s park and an open air theatre. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Visakhapatnam, N. Prateep Kumar said Kambalakonda eco-park and the zoo were badly damaged during cyclone Hudhud in October 2014. Though they were temporarily restored after the cyclone, full-fledged redevelopment would be taken up now that the World Bank has come forward to fund the project.

Principal Conservator of Forests K.S. Reddy clarified the doubts of the NGO representatives, who participated in the workshop. He clarified that Kambalakonda was totally in a reserve forest area and was not under the control of private agencies.

THE HINDU