3-day Manyam Jatara from Feb 27

Rampachodavaram (East Godavari): Tribal festival by the name of ‘Manyam Jatara’ for the promotion of tourism will be conducted on the premises of Vana Vihari in Maredumilli from February 27 to 29.

East Godavari District Collector H Arun Kumar here on Saturday convened a meeting with the officials of forest, tourism and engineering departments on the objection raised by the forest department on development of tourism and development of infrastructure in Rampachodavaram.

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Kumar mentioned that an action plan was being formulated to make agency area as a tourism hub. He informed that funds have been allocated to develop tourism cottages in Kolluru, Rampachodavaram and Maredumilli forest area. He maintained that Rs 50 lakh was sanctioned to lay CC road up to Rampa waterfalls. He directed officials to arrange for pedal boat ride in Bhupathipalem reservoir and to set up guesthouses in surrounding areas. He suggested the district forest officials to give permission to lay roads in the forest area under Forest Rights Act after resolutions made in grama sabhas and directed the officials to complete roads by the end of March after obtaining necessary permissions form the forest department. He directed the AP Transco to electrify 30 villages in Chintur mandal. He further directed the AP Transco officials to give priority solar pump sets in the agency area and informed that 93 solar pump sets have been sanctioned in the agency area and 86 of them were set up.

Speaking on the occasion, Project Officer, ITDA, KVN Chankradhar Babu said that invitations for tribal festival would send to all ITDAs, District Collectors and people’s representatives in the state. He mentioned that tribal festival would depict local tribal traditions, tribal dances from other regions and tribal culture. He maintained that tourism spots would be developed and food stalls would be set up during tribal festival. He said that festival would be celebrated in grand manner with the convergence of ITDA, forest, tourism and revenue departments.

Forest conservator M Ravi Kumar said that permission could be given at the district-level up to one hectare to lay road in the agency area and made it clear that state government’s permission is enough up to five hectares in Naxalite-affected areas.

Sub-Collector Ravi Pattan Setty, DFOs T Srinivasa Rao and MV Prasada Rao, Wildlife DFO G Prabhakar Rao, Tribal Welfare EE PK Nageswara Rao and Akhanda Godavari Project Special Officer Bheemasankara Rao were present on the occasion.