Chandrababu to promote Buddhist monasteries in Amaravati as tourist destinations

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has suggested setting up eco-tourism parks in each district, a government release said on Wednesday. Naidu, who attended a review meeting with tourism sector officials, said that forest lands in urban areas can be transformed to biodiversity conservation zones by establishing eco-tourism parks. He also directed officials to develop a reservoir at Gandikota in Kadapa district as a tourist destination, which would also increase Kadapa airport's air traffic, the release said.

Naidu directed officials to promote Nagarjuna Sagar (irrigation project), Nagarjunakonda and Buddhist monasteries at Amaravati in Guntur district, where the capital city of AP is coming up, as tourist destinations, the release said.

"Modernisation of islands and the Bhavani Island at Vijayawada with the help of Singaporean companies around Amaravati will attract tourists," the release quoted him as saying.

He also suggested organising a 'Flamingo festival' in Nellore district's Pulicat and Nelapattu lakes, the release said. The Kakinada-Konaseema tourism project can generate a revenue of Rs 300 crore with an investment of Rs 100 crore, he said, according to the release. Officials were instructed to explore the possibility of organising safari rides at Visakhapatnam and Tirupati zoological parks, the release said.

The AP CM said that six beaches in the picturesque port city of Visakhapatnam could be developed as tourism destinations, the release said. Officials informed the AP CM that ten companies are keen on starting water sports at all state beaches and that 39 spots have been identified for promotion as beach resorts, the release said.

Officials informed that in order to boost temple tourism in AP, preparations are underway to organise sound and light shows at Kanipakam, Srikalahasti, Puttaparthi, Annavaram as well as Simhachalam, among others, the release said.