Sivvaram crocodile sanctuary as tourist spot

Sivvaram crocodile sanctuary as tourist spot
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Highlights

The Sivvaram crocodile sanctuary is located about 44 km from Mancherial district headquarters in Jaipur mandal amid breathtaking picturesque surroundings like hills on one side and the Godavari on the other along with green fields.

Adilabad: The Sivvaram crocodile sanctuary is located about 44 km from Mancherial district headquarters in Jaipur mandal amid breathtaking picturesque surroundings like hills on one side and the Godavari on the other along with green fields.

The Sivvaram sanctuary is famous after the Manjira crocodile lake in Khammam district in Telangana. The sanctuary, spread over 29 sqkm, has been given recognition in 1972 through a gazette notification.

A visitor can see about 100 crocodiles from close range as against the normal sight of one or two in a park while travelling in a boat arranged by the Forest department.

They are found sleeping on stones, along with small and big ones being seen at one place. It is a pleasant sight for tourists, Narayana of Chennur told The Hans India. ‘It is an unforgettable experience to see the reptiles from a distance of about 10 metres’, he added.

Among the many crocodiles found floating in the Godavari water, the big ones are five to ten feet long. Mostly in white and black, they are found with their mouths wide open, as they feed on fish, frogs and small creatures living in water.

According to a visitor, Raju, the experience of going round the sanctuary is akin to that of moving in the Papikondalu area. In fact, it has more beautiful spots than Papikondalu, particularly during January when a wide variety of birds migrate on large scale to the sanctuary, a local resident Rajender told THI.

A visitor can see crocodiles amid thick forests and movements of langurs, monkeys, leopards, deer, foxes, wild buffaloes. A 100ft-high watch tower has been provided for the tourists to enjoy the sight of the moves of various animals, amid greenery abutting the river. A tourist, Adinarayana, describes the tower as a wonderful creation. ‘Seeing the animals from the tower gives one a feeling and sense of recreation,’ he told THI.

Also caves identified as ‘Komati Guhalu’ can be found in the area near the sanctuary. A Siva temple believed to have been established by the Kakatiya kings is located amid the caves. Girijans worship the deity. Besides, the sanctuary has abundant varieties of herbs and medicinal plants which are not available anywhere else in the country. The weather around the sanctuary in June is extremely cold.

Satyanarayana of Chennur has appealed to the administration to develop the sanctuary and its surrounding areas as tourist spots so as to ensure that the area gets a boost.

Forest Officer Hymavathi told THI that proposals to construct cottages, roads, allocation of funds to develop the caves have been forwarded to the government. She said once the funds are sanctioned steps would be taken to develop the sanctuary and its surroundings as tourist spots.

By Thotla Chinna Anjaiah

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