CM Revanth Virtually Launches Safari, Butterfly Park in Kinnerasani Sanctuary

Hyderabad: Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy launched virtually two safari vehicles, trekking facilities, a butterfly park, a feeding shed in the deer park, and a CC road in the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district on Thursday.

Kinnerasani is a 635-square-kilometer reserve forest, named after the picturesque Kinnerasani Lake. It is home to a rich wildlife including leopards, spotted deer, and gaurs, besides different bird species. The safari vehicles would facilitate the tourists to watch animals in the wildlife sanctuary.

The vehicles have been procured at a cost of ₹45 lakh. One vehicle would run from Deer Park to the Kinnerasani Watch Tower. The other vehicle will operate between the Harini Watch Tower at Mandarikilapadu and Deer Park.

Speaking on the occasion in the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, located 15 kilometres away from the district headquarters, Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao pointed out that Bhadradri Kothagudem district has the largest forest cover in the state. He described Kinnerasani as the "lungs of Telangana.” He said efforts are underway to transform Kinnerasani into a major tourist hub in Telangana.

The MLA said a glass house, a zoo, boating services, and a tourist hotel would soon be developed in the wildlife sanctuary.

Speaking on the occasion, district collector Ankit announced the 55 lakh saplings would be planted in the district as a part of Vana Mahotsavam. The responsibility for planting these saplings has been assigned to 42 different departments, he stated.

District Forest officer G. Kista Goud stated that the district has the largest forest cover in the state spanning approximately eight lakh acres. He underlined that efforts are being made to develop Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary as one of the major tourist spots in Telangana.

Those present on the occasion included Kothagudem mayor Moodu Ganesh and additional collector (Local Bodies) Vidya Chandana.