Eco-tourism projects act as the window to the treasure trove of natural resources in forests and hence they have to be promoted on a large scale, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) P. Mallikharjuna Rao has said.
Speaking at the inaugural of the two-day national workshop on ‘Conservation of wildlife and ecotourism in India’ organised by Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visva Vidyalayam (SPMVV)’s Sericulture department here on Tuesday, he said the State could boast of 23% of its land area under forest cover, having 3000-plus species of flora and fauna, including some of the rare, endemic species exclusive to the region.
He recalled Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s recent directive to upgrade all the 31 community-managed eco-tourism projects in the State so as to keep the green cover intact and also let the communities derive more benefits.
Better alternative
He maintained that the forest-dependent fringe villages would earn more money in the process of showcasing the forests and by extending hospitality, rather than through extracting timber or other forms of forest produce.
“People may not get in and see the forest, so our eco-tourism projects will serve as the window to them. Such projects create awareness among public and let them experience its beauty. This will go a long way in conservation of our forests,” he observed.
SPMVV Vice-Chancellor V. Durgabhavani thanked the Forest department for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the university for offering hands-on training to its researchers and students at the SV Zoological Park.
Rural employment
Workshop convener D. Bharathi sought steps to promote eco-tourism, as it could address the issues of rural employment and forest conservation in one go. Dean (Sciences) D. Sandhya Rani and Additional PCCF (Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle) B.K. Singh took part.
