AP tourist spots unexplored, development plans stalled

Visakhapatnam: Popular tourist spots are being discussed on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Meanwhile, many scenic locations of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and places of historical and geological importance lie unexplored. These locations have the potential to be developed into tourist spots, but they have so far been ignored. All plans for the development of amenities at these spots have remained on paper.

According to local tourist guides, tourists only know about the Araku Valley and the Borra Caves because other locations are not publicised by the department of tourism. The locations which remain unexplored, include waterfalls, beaches and Buddhist sites.

Among the waterfalls which can be developed as tourist spots are the Katika waterfall in Vizag Agency, the Dharamatham waterfall in the Golugonda area, which is located about 20 km west of Narsipatnam, the Tadiguda waterfall near Ananthagiri and the Sarugudu waterfalls in Nathavaram mandal. At the moment, these locations are only picnic spots.

In the recent past, the Katika waterfall has started attracting adventure tourists from across the state. A temple and a statue of Lord Shiva are situated close to the Dharamatham waterfall which flows perennially. The tourism department had announced plans to set up cafeterias and viewing decks at these falls, but those plans have yet to materialise.

The Lammasingi Valley, where temperatures drop to 4 degrees Celsius during the winter, has the potential to attract a large number of tourists. But tourists do not visit the valley due to the lack of basic amenities.

The main beaches of Vizag city, Rama Krishna beach and Rushikonda beach, have been made unattractive by coastal erosion. Appikonda beach provides a breath of fresh air, but it is located 30 km away from Vizag.