BRIEF NOTE ON FOREST

Achampet Wildlife Management Division, came into existence with effect from 1/1/1999 extending over 248749 Ha. The entire area of the Division forms a part of Nagarkurnool and Revenue divisions of Mahabubnagar District. This division lies between 16 o 18’ 50” and 16 o 37’ 45” northern latitude and 78° 4’ 30” and 78 o 58’ 50” eastern longitudes.

After reorganization of the division, the existing Achampet Wildlife Division has been bifurcated into two sub-divisions ie.,

• FDO Achampet (22354 Ha area) & • FDO Amrabad Divisions (6671Ha)

In additional an area of 6720.52 Ha from Mahaboobnagar division has also been added to Achampet Forest division. These two sub-divisions are under control of the DFO Nagarkurnool.

The Nagarkurnool Division with an extent of 6,545.00 Sq. Km in which most of the area falls in Amrabad Tiger Reserve. The total forest area of the division is 2555.00 Sq. Km. The jurisdiction of the division extends over 20 Revenue Mandals of the district. This Geographical area of this division is 6,545.00 Sq.Km out of which 2555.00 Sq.KM is Forest area which is 49.60% of Geographical area.

Forest Area 1. The total Geographical area of the Division : 6545 Sq.Km 2. Forest area as per notification : 2555 Sq.Km. Area under P.A. (Tiger Reserve) : 1750 Sq.Km Buffer area : 445.03 Sq. Km RoFR (Recognition of Forest Rights)

No. of claims Received No. of claims Accepted No. of claims Rejected Individual Community Individual Community Individual Community Area in Area in Area in Area in Area in Area in No No No No No No Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres 1972 6553 0 0 945 2120.713 0 0 382 2433.25 0 0

Total - Extent in S.No Particulars Remarks Claims Acres i) Total no. of RoFR Claims received 1601 5251.35 ii) Total no. of claims accepted 1219 2408.04 RoFR certificates issued 945 2129.16 RoFR Certificates yet to be issued 126 410.06 iii) Total no. of claims found ineligible 0 0 Total no. of claims pending for enquiry and iv) their corresponding extent in acres at FRC Grama Panchayat / Habitation level 382 2433.25 Rejected Sub-Divisional level committee level Nil Nil District Committee level 148 278.88 Verified

Total claims A. Lakshmapur & Chitlamgunta : 174 (148 +26 ) i. Total claims accepted pertains to Laxmapur Out of (148) :128 ii. Total claims accepted pertains to Chitlamkunta : 26 iii. Claims proposed for re -verification pertains to Laxmapur out of (148) : 20 B. 100 claims pertains Chenchus of core areas pentas iv. Total claims accepted pertains to 14 habitations of core area pentas Out of (100 : 76 iv. Claims proposed for re-verification pertains to Petralchenu, Sarlapally, : 24 Medimalkala & Earlapenta Out of (100) Note: Total 382 ineligible claims under RoFR 1. 141 claims pertain to Tribals of , Lingal & Amrabad (Mandals). 2. 241 claims pertain to OTFD (other traditional forest dwellers – Non STs) of Kollapur Mandal. 3. Joint verification teams constituted (Forest, Revenue and ITDA officials) and verification was conducted report submitted.

➢ Plantation under various Schemes : As on 15.07.2020

Target Achievement Extent No. of Extent No. of Division Scheme No of No of Seedlings Seedlings sites Ha Km sites Ha Km (nos) (nos) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 CA CA -DFL 4 45.00 0.00 49995 4 35.00 0.00 38885 Sub total 4 45 0 49995 4 35 0 38885 NPV-NFM -ANR Bund stabilization-New 15 - 37.50 103125 3 - 18.00 49500 Bund stabilization-Revisit 22 - 78.00 95862 19 - 59.00 59000

Bamboo Plantation along nalas ------Gap planting ------Sub total 37 0.00 115.50 198987 22 0.00 77.00 108500 NFM -AR 0 0.50 - 5000 0 - - 0 Achampet NFM -AR-Urban forest 0 - - 0 0 - - 0 Sub total 0 0.50 0.00 5000 0 0.00 0.00 0 NPV-BDC Fruit bearing plantation 2 50.00 - 20000 2 25.00 - 19243 Bamboo Plantation along nalas 21 - 50.00 20000 11 - 28.50 11400 Sub total 23 50.00 50.00 40000 13 25.00 28.50 30643 Afforestation Scheme 4 - 60.00 24000 0 - - 0 Achampet Division Total 68 95.5 225.5 317982 39 60 105.5 178028 CA ------CA- NFL ------CA -DFL ------NPV-NFM -ANR ------Bund stabilization-New 10 - 20.00 55000 10 - 20.00 40000

Bund stabilization-Revisit 8 - 50000 2 - 13000 25.00 6.50 Bamboo Plantation along nalas ------Gap planting ------Sub total 18 0.00 45.00 105000 12 0.00 26.50 53000

Amrabad NFM -AR ------NFM -AR-Urban forest ------Sub total ------NPV-BDC ------Fruit bearing plantation 2 25.00 - 27775 2 23.00 - 25553

Bamboo Plantation along nalas 6 - 10000 4 - 8000 25.00 20.00 Sub total 8 25.00 25.00 37775 6 23.00 20.00 33553 Amrabad Division Total 26 25.00 70 142775 18 23.00 46.5 86553 District Total : 94 120.5 295.5 460757 57 83 152 264581

➢ Statement showing the Progress of Survey and Land Reconciliation with Forest & Revenue Records

As per Gazette Forest area Area included in Balance to Name of the Total Extent Sl.No Revenue be District Ha Acres (Acres) Records (Acres) reconciled 1 Nagarkurnool 255053.00 630249.74 195532.69 206562.76 423686.98

Statement showing the Un Surveyed Forest Land S. Total Un Surveyed Forest Land No Total Total Un Correction of out of village boundaries Notified Surveyed Village Survey of Un- Forest Land Total Forest boundary Surveyed are Survey of Un Remarks in Lands in where Survey completed and Surveyed area Nagarkurnool Nagarkurnool Number is proposals under Dist Dist assigned submitted to proposals CSS & LRS 1. Survey of Un Surveyed Forest Lands covered under Forest land Notification was taken up and the proposals for assigning survey number to forest lands was submitted to CSS&LRs to an extent of Ac.147787-28 gts vide Rc.No.A1/29/2019, Dt.09.08.2019 survey of the remaining Un surveyed lands is under process for Technical work. 2. CSS&LRs Conducted meeting 1 619068-19 495556-17 48916-15 147787-28 2988852-14 with Joint Collector, Nagarkurnool on 14.11.2019 for implementation of survey records for Un surveyed forest lands and instructed to complete the survey of Un surveyed forest lands and conduct Quasi-Judicial enquiry by the District Collector and submit the proposals to CSS&LRs for implementation of survey records for entire Un Surveyed Forest Lands. 3. Survey of the surveyed lands has been completed and is under the process of Quasi-Judicial enquiry.

Telangana Ku Haritha haram Daily Planting report up to end of the day 21.07.2020 during 2020 Planting Season

Achievement Sl. Till Yesterday Today Cumulative Department Target No. % of Planting Distribution Planting Distribution Planting Distribution Total Achievement 1 Agriculture 2 0.584 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.584 0.000 0.584 29.19 2 Animal 0.14 0.140 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.140 0.000 0.140 99.64 Husbandry/ Veterinary 3 Civil Supply 0.05 0.012 0.000 0.001 0.000 0.013 0.000 0.013 25.46 4 Dist. PR 0.05 0.050 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.050 0.000 0.050 100.00 5 District 0.5 0.041 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.041 0.000 0.041 8.14 Education 6 DRDO 57.18 23.292 12.157 0.416 0.053 23.708 12.210 35.918 62.82 7 Endowments/ 0.25 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.00 Religious places 8 Excise 1 0.636 0.000 0.011 0.000 0.647 0.000 0.647 64.70 9 Forest 4.6 2.547 0.000 0.040 0.000 2.587 0.000 2.587 56.23 10 Health, 2 1.197 0.000 0.041 0.000 1.238 0.000 1.238 61.92 Medical & Family Welfare 11 Horticulture/ 1 0.519 0.000 0.040 0.000 0.559 0.000 0.559 55.91 Sericulture 12 Industries 0.05 0.013 0.000 0.002 0.000 0.015 0.000 0.015 29.70 Dept. 13 Irrigation 0.05 0.032 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.032 0.000 0.032 64.00 14 Market 0.05 0.009 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.009 0.000 0.009 17.90 15 Mines & 0.25 0.016 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.016 0.000 0.016 6.20 Geology 16 Minority 0.05 0.010 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.010 0.000 0.010 20.10 Welfare 17 Municipal 7.83 0.940 0.558 0.109 0.063 1.049 0.621 1.669 21.32 Authorities 18 Police 0.05 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.00 19 R&B 0.05 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.20 20 RWS 0.05 0.024 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.024 0.000 0.024 47.16 21 Social 0.05 0.055 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.055 0.000 0.055 110.08 Welfare 22 Transport 0.05 0.024 0.000 0.001 0.000 0.025 0.000 0.025 49.74 23 Tribal 0.5 0.091 0.000 0.006 0.000 0.097 0.000 0.097 19.49 Welfare / ITDA 24 Women & 0.5 0.541 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.541 0.000 0.541 108.11 Child Welfare Grand Total 78.3 30.769 12.715 0.668 0.116 31.437 12.831 44.268 56.54

C.B.E.T (Community Based Eco Tourism)

Many of the world’s most beautiful resources exist in endangered habitats and vulnerable communities. Community-based ecotourism is a form of ecotourism that emphasizes the development of local communities and allows for local residents to have substantial control over, and involvement in, its development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community. Community-based ecotourism should foster sustainable use and collective responsibility, but it also embraces individual initiatives within the community. With this form of ecotourism, local residents share the environment and their way of life with visitors, while increasing local income and building local economies. By sharing activities such as festivals, homestays, and the production of artisan goods, community-based tourism allows communities to participate in the modern global economy while cultivating a sustainable source of income and maintaining their way of life. A successful model of community-based tourism works with existing community initiatives, utilizes community leaders, and seeks to employ local residents so that income generated from tourism stays in the community and maximizes local economic benefits.

The areas where the CBET activities are being taken-up comes under Amrabad Tiger Reserve. This area is part of the sprawling Nallamalai Forest tract and harbor several places of ecological importance and scenic beauty. The noteworthy places for visit are Farhabad view point, Mallelatheertham waterfalls, Akkamahabilam caves, Pratap Rudruni kota, Mallaiah loddi, Saileshwaram, Erradari watch tower, Octopus view point etc,. These places can be made accessible for promoting Eco-tourism without disturbing the Natural Wildlife habitat and the Biodiversity of the area, provided the activities area regulated and kept within the carrying capacity of the area. The places of interest mentioned above are located on either side of the main highway leading from to Srisailam and are approachable either on vehicle or on foot. It is proposed to provide an opportunity to tourists to visit these areas by regulating their movement inside the Forests with the involvement of local guides who belong to the Primitive Chenchu Tribe (PTG).

The facilities like cottages and dormitory for night stay, public convenience like toilet and bath, a fast food centre-cum-restaurant and a landscape garden have been created for the visitors with the involvement of Eco-Development Committees and Common Enterprise Groups. Activities taken-up -At Mannanur CBET

The activities here involve the members of Umamaheshwaram Tanda and Ambedkar Colony EDCs of Mannanur Range and Macharam EDC of Amrabad Range. The facilities created are Ten independent cottages out of which (4) A/c cottages and (6) Non A/c cottages, two common dormitories for night stay of travelers, bath and toilet facilities at the visitor’s complex, one “Chital” restaurant and common dining hall. The facilities created are already in use and are providing gainful employment to the (20) EDC members working in the visitor’s complex. The Environmental Educational Centre it is recently renovated and new compound wall along with landscape garden was established under BIOSAP Scheme.

At Farhabad CBET The Eco-Tourism activities were started at Farhabad from October 2007. Two Jeeps are available with the Forest Department were put to use to take visitors on safari drive upto Farhabad view point. The visitors are being charged Rs 600/- per trip for a maximum of 6 persons. This activity has taken off very well and so far, a spot where visitors can sit and enjoy the wilderness of the area also will be developed here. At Farhabad view point one shelter is required as there is no protection from sun and rain in that area near Farhabad EDC. The recently two vehicles were ordered for Safari purpose.

At Mallelatheertham CBET This center started functioning from April 2007 and is managed by E.D.C. members of Sarlapally and Kudichintalabailu. At present entry and parking fee is being collected for vehicles by members of E.D.C. Sarlapally. The entry fee for visitors at Mallelatheertham gate is being collected by the members of Kudichintala bailu EDC. During 2008-09 we have constructed one complex to house canteen and ticket issue centre at the entrance to the waterfall. The canteen has started functioning with the involvement of CEG groups of Kudichintalabailu and Sarlapally. The entire visitor area has been fenced with chain link to provide security for vehicle parking and for visitors. Two gates have been setup for entry of vehicles into the parking area and for entry of visitors to the waterfall. A small landscape garden has been put into place. Five sit outs have been constructed for convenience of visitors. The water pool near the waterfall which is very deep and hazardous has been barricaded to prevent accidental fall into the pool. During 2012-13 added the new facilities like construction of “Pagoda, Toilet complex and Water tank” under COP-XI Scheme.

At Domalapenta CBET There is a Forest guest house “Vana Mayuri” which has four twin bedded suites. A landscape garden has been setup. The facilities at Domalapenta are managed by the E.D.C. members of Domalapenta. We are charging Rs 1200/- per suite on the first floor and Rs 800/- per suite in the ground floor. A fully equipped kitchen and dining facility has been put into place. The visitors are provided with food on order near Domalapenta EDC. At Saileshwaram Saleshwarm (Lord Temple) located in "Tiger Reserve Nallamala Forest" nearly 30 KM from Mannanur, 50 KM from Srisailam. Temple is situated in deep valley, throughout the year temple and associated road will be closed but it will be opened for 5 days during (March-April). Visiting the temple in moon light on chaitra pournima (The full moon day of Chaitra (March-April)) is auspicious. The Saileshwaram area is opened for public once in a year for (5) days during April. At the time, more than a lack of people visit the Temple. The CBET members collect the parking fee and utilize the same for the Development of road from Farhabad to Saleshwaram and also paid the wages for the tribes involved in the maintenance works during Jathara period near Rampur EDC.

Akkamahadevi Caves

Akka Mahadevi was a prominent figure of the Veerashiva Bhaktimovement of the 12th Century . Her vachanas in Kannadaare considered her greatest contribution to literature. During the 12th Century A.D. It is believed that Akka Mahadevi did penance in this cave and worshiped the Sivalinga that naturally existed in the deep and dark end of the cave. The A.P. tourism Department has arranged motor boats for visitors to see these caves from Pathalaganga at Srisailam.

Akkamahadevi caves & Kadarivanam tourism route This zone starts from the Srisailam dam by water upto Akkamahadevi caves during distance of 18 Kms from Srisailam back waters, from their follow the trekking paths to reach the Akkamahadevi caves & Kadarivanam. This area was falls under Domalapenta EDC.

Kadarivanam

Influx of pilgrims

A large number of pilgrim’s from , Karnataka, Maharastra come to Srisailam Temple during Mahasivarathri & festivals. The visitor come in thousands on foot and in vehicles. During these festivals and this creates lot of disturbance to the habitat in the Tiger Reserve. The Forest Department collect the fee Rs 5/- per member per day to visit the Akkamadevi cave and it is permitted to visit day hours and it is strictly not permitted to staying at night hours.

The main issues associated with this pilgrimage inside the core area and the concerns for the Tiger Reserve Management are,

Disturbance to the habitat Disturbance to the animals during night time Littering of wastes inside the Tiger Reserve Coincidence of the pilgrimage times with pinch period Man animal conflict Forest Fires The passage of pilgrims on foot during important festival has been in vogue for centuries and is linked to religious sentiments. Hence this activity cannot be prevented. But there is need to regulate the passage of pilgrims to the Tiger Reserve. A Master Plan of regulation of temple tourism has to be prepared by engaging experts and professionals for the temple tourism. This master plan has to be in accordance with the guidelines given by the NTCA. However, till a master plan is prepared, regulation of the pilgrimage may be done in the following ways.

View Points

Viewpoints at the following places with a commanding view of the surrounding localities have to be selected and developed to give the visitor a relief while identifying himself with the nature. Construction of viewpoints / watch towers are recommended

a. Farhabad. b. Domalapenta. c. Rusulacheruvu. d. Behrapur. Routes identified for Eco tourism (by road)

1. Manannur-Dharavagu-Kollam -Tabelugunda -Bureddipalli–Rollabanda 2. Mannanur- Gundem -Farhabad -Neelagiri Viewpoint -old Shikaragah – Farhabad gate - back Mannanur. 3. Mannanur – Mallapur - Pullaipally- Rampur -Saileswaram valley - Back

Routes identified for Eco tourism (by Boat)

Srisailam dam site – Patala ganga – Akkamahadevi caves – Kadilivanam – Back Srisailam dam site. It is proposed to launch boat service on these two routes to be managed by Eco tourism committees to be implemented as per established procedure and policies concerned. It is proposed to purchase two motor launch of 40 to 50 capacity and deploy one on each of the above two routes. Boating charges, entry fee etc., may be fixed as per the economics worked out and approval of Chief Wildlife Warden may be taken before fixing the boating charges. The Revenue generated may be deposited in Tiger Conservation foundation and utilized for maintenance of Eco tourism facilities and part conservation of Biodiversity of the Tiger Reserve. All the tourism activities as per the normative guidelines on Eco tourism issued by NTCA.

District Forest Officer, Nagarkurnool.