Devunoor reserve forests to be converted into ecological park

Warangal: The district administration and Warangal Urban forest department have planned to convert reserve forest area at Devunoor village in Dharmasagar mandal in the district into Ecological Park.

The forest block at the village and its surroundings is the biggest green space available in the district. Hence the forest, the district administration and district tourism officials are making plans make use of the forests as a means to educate public mainly youngsters on the importance
of forests.

District Collector Amrapali Kata and chief conservator of forests (CCF) MJ Akbar, who recently trekked through the forest area, have proposed to develop the forest as Ecological Park, where information and also entertainment will be offered at the same time.

According to the CCF, the forest area covered with hillocks will be good place for trekking and ecotourism. Since it is located at just 20 kilometres away from Warangal city, it can serve to promote ecotourism and can attract nature lovers in large numbers.

It may be noted here that marking the World Environment Day on June 5, night camping facility has been introduced at Inuparathi Gutta in Devunoor forests.

It met with good success on the day one itself with as many as 60 persons including couples, children, adventurers and nature lovers joining the camp to enjoy night in the forest.In addition to that regular trekking expeditions are being conducted in the forests where students from Kakatiya University and National Institute Technology, Warangal and large number of nature enthusiasts turning up.

According to a senior forest official K Purushotham, it is planned to establish an Environment Education Centre, play area for kids, resort, restaurant and other amenities for the convenience of the visitors. The infrastructure will be developed with funds from the District Collector and forest department.

There are various species of plants, birds and butterflies inside the forest and a water body nearby and all those will serve to attract the nature lovers and students, who wish to study environment. The works related to the park may soon be launched, the official noted.

Events like ‘a date with nature’ for students will be arranged so that youngsters and children, who are getting obsessed to smart phones since childhood can come out of it and learn to help in preserving the nature for the future generation, he added.