Maredumilli has many streams and waterfalls situated in the thick semi evergreen forests of the eastern ghats with undulating terrain and the area is situated on Rajahmundry-Bhadrachalam road (80 km. from Rajahmundry). The community conservation and eco-tourism area is managed by the indigenous tribal community of Valamuru and Somireddypalem villages. This area is abode for a tribe called “Konda Reddys”. Important plant species like caryota urens, Bamboos, Terminalia tomentosa, Adena cardifolia and Teak are available here. There are number of attractions like Nandanavanam (medicinal plants awareness centre), Medicinal plants conservation and development area, Madanakunj viharasthal with tropical pines and bamboos, jungle star camping site bounded by Valamuru river on three sides, trek to 30 mt high Amruthadhara and 15 mt high Swarnadhara waterfalls, Rubber plantation etc.
Other locations one must visit are Neelakanteswara waterfalls, an ancient shiva temple (in a cave) and majestic Rampa waterfalls near Rampa village. Local tribal dance form “Kommu dance” is a local attraction but not available for visitors at all times. The best part here is the tribal cuisine; bamboo chicken, bamboo shoot curry, bamboo chutney, and other herbal preparations. It is learnt that bamboo chicken has become a huge hit with the visitors and even foreign tourists enjoyed it thoroughly. When we were at Madanakunj, we got drenched in the heavy down pour which happened suddenly and we enjoyed the experience like small children and incidentally it was the “Holi” day!!
There is a beautiful forest rest house with 4 suites, one hill top rest house and canteen for providing accommodation. Local community guides are available.
Contact
Forest rest house, Maredumilli..08864-244996
Forest Range Officer, Rampachodavaram..08864-243449
We also had a memorable housing boat experience on river Godavari at Dindi, about 120 km. away from Rajahmundry (East Godavari district). The beauty of this konaseema has to seen and experienced. There are several attractions like Sivakodi Lanka, Antarvedi (Lord Nrisimha temple), old pedestrian and cantilever bridges, Koringa mangroves sanctuary. Coconut trees and palmyras dot the entire landscape and the coconut trees with their swaying branches on both banks of river Godavari look like two warring armies scheming and standing apart ready with all armour and ammunition to strike each other. Fishermen boats, fishing nets, shoals of jumping fishes, coconuts and dry fish are quite common here. There is a beautiful resort “Coconut Country Resorts” run by AP Tourism Development Corporation at Dindi.
One can visit APTDC website to have details of accommodation and house boat facility.
Then, we traveled to Uppada village near Kakinada to buy famous Uppada sarees (in silk as well as cotton). En route we visited GVK power plant just to see how a beautiful garden was groomed in once hopeless quarry area. Two white swans and two black swans imported from Brazil and Australia respectively have added royal touch to the whole ambience. Mr. Prasada Rao, a retired civil engineer turned horticulturist & forester made this area a haven with beautiful landscaping, mini zoo, and gardening with fruit and flowering plants. It was amazing to see how he could name and explain history of each and every plant species he nurtured there. On the whole, it was a wonderful and rejuvenating experience to meet such inspiring people and visit such beautiful places.
No comments:
Post a Comment