Will push for development of Araku as one of India’s top tourist spots, says Pawan Kalyan

Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan advocates for Araku tourism development, emphasizing employment opportunities and tribal welfare in the region.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has promised to impress upon Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the need to develop Araku as one of the best tourist spots in the country in view of its immense tourism potential.

The Deputy CM was in Alluri Sitharama Raju district to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a road as part of the ‘Adavi Thalli Bata’ programme at Dumbriguda in Araku mandal on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, he recalled that he had toured Araku for a week as part of his ‘Porata Yatra’ in 2018. “It was then that I had decided to do something for your welfare. Araku Coffee has become popular all over the country, and it could provide employment to the local people. Coffee plantations were being grown on an extent of 2.25 lakh acres, and measures would be taken to raise coffee in an additional 1 lakh acres.”

He said that the silver oak plants were vulnerable to forest fires and that officials should come up with alternatives like jackfruit plants to provide shade to the coffee plants. Silver oak was not a native species.

Referring to his discussions with police officials earlier, Mr. Kalyan said it was unfortunate that the tribal people of Araku and surrounding areas still believed in superstitions. He also appealed to the youth not to take up ganja cultivation or consumption as it would land them in trouble.

The NDA government would show alternative employment. Though the tribal voters had not voted for the NDA candidates, he said the government was committed to their development.

As many as 21,000 tribal students created a world record for the most people performing Surya Namaskarams simultaneously at a single venue on the occasion of World Health Day in the ASR district on Monday. Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani appreciated the district administration for its efforts in organising the event.