Collector turns adventurous

IAS officer Ronald Rose, the District Collector of Mahabubnagar, is on a mission. The self-confessed adventure-freak wants to transform the district’s landscape and give tourism a boost by promoting adventure activities.

“Setting up facilities for adventure sports will not only encourage the youth of the district to take up adventurous activities but also attract people from Hyderabad looking for a fun weekend getaway,” he says. 

The Collector has set up facilities for ziplining, zip-cycling, archery and ropeway sports at the district’s Mayuri Ecopark. “To attract people, I must have a USP. Otherwise, why will people come all the way here? Zip-cycling is a thrilling experience. When I tried it myself, I was fascinated. We have set up India’s longest zip-cycling track (270 m) here,” Ronald says.

People’s response to the facilities has been overwhelming. “The footfall is high. Around 4,000 people come here on the weekend, and around 1,000 on weekdays,” he says, adding, “To promote the development of an adventurous spirit in kids, we held a five-day mountaineering workshop for 50 students of class eight last week. Since I have gone on mountaineering expeditions, I know how thrilling they can be. In fact, I sent 12 people on an expedition to Mt Kilimanjaro a couple of years ago.”

The officials have identified three trekking routes from the park. They are currently in the process of installing the necessary facilities. “One route was opened recently. Adventure societies have already started coming here for weekend gateways. After camping in the park, they have said that they are happy with the facilities. We are in the process of setting up tent houses for them.”

Other popular attractions are the rappelling, rock-climbing and rifle-shooting facilities.

The authorities are also setting up a currency-themed park, where the currencies of 25 countries, and their history, will be highlighted.

Ronald reveals how efforts are underway to revive Pillalamarri, a 700-year-old banyan tree, which is one of the major attractions of the district. Tourists have not been permitted access to the tree for over six months now as it has become infected by fungus. “The branches of the tree had become too heavy and they were falling. As a part of the tree’s treatment, we injected saline containing various chemicals into its branches through a drip system. Now, 75 new shoots have emerged. If things improve quickly, we will reopen the tree to the public,” he says.