TIRUPATI: An ideal getaway for nature lovers is Mamandur forest near Tirupati. The eco-tourism region is managed by a community led by the forest department. Mamandur forest cottages are filled with nature lovers looking to escape from the crowds and mental stress of urban life. The forest is a boon for animal lovers. One can spot wild animals like wild dogs, spotted dear and others. Bird lovers make a beeline for the area which is replete with pretty birds of all species.
Birds like grey junglefowl, jungle bush quail, painted spurfowl, magpie-robin, red-vented bulbul are seen along with other birds. Nocturnal birds like Indian nightjars, owls and other rare species are also seen in this region. Incidentally, the Mamandur guesthouse was built for Kenneth Anderson, a hunter who came to Mamandur on request of the village head, in the 1920s to kill a man-eating tiger prowling in the area, according to B. Balasubramanyam (Trekking Balu), secretary of Tirupati Heritage Nature and Culture Organisation.
K. Karthik Sai, popularly known as ‘Birdman’ Karthik, is a wildlife researcher and says that the place is a haven for bird watchers and people from neighbouring states often visit the place. D. Phani Kumar Naidu, DFO Tirupati, says, “The government is very interested in developing eco-tourism. We have generated jobs to local tribals through eco-tourism in this area. We are now working on a safari track in Mamandur and it will be completed soon. Safari track will be an added attraction and bring in tourists from all over.”
