Eco-tourism cottages to be inaugurated at Chaparai waterfalls
District In-charge Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani will inaugurate a cluster of eco-friendly wooden cottages at Chaparai waterfalls on the ghat road on Wednesday, developed by the Forest Department under the Butterfly Project to promote sustainable tourism in the Agency area.
Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5.5 crore, the cottages are located amid coffee plantations along the main road between Ananthagiri and Beesupuram in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Built from environmentally compatible materials, they are designed to blend with the surrounding forest landscape while offering visitors a comfortable stay close to nature.
The Butterfly Project is part of the Forest Department’s broader strategy to promote eco-tourism without disturbing the fragile ecosystem of the Eastern Ghats. Officials said the initiative would diversify tourism opportunities in the Araku-Ananthagiri belt.
A senior Forest Department official said the cottages would offer visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s biodiversity, coffee plantations, and scenic landscapes while promoting responsible tourism. “The objective is to develop tourism without compromising the ecological balance,” the official said.
Tourism experts said nature-based accommodation is increasingly attracting travellers seeking experiences beyond conventional sightseeing. They noted that eco-tourism projects, when managed scientifically, could generate employment for tribal communities through hospitality services, local transport, handicrafts, guided nature walks, and the sale of locally produced goods.
Environmental planner and eco-tourism consultant Dr. K. Srinivas said such projects could become successful models only if visitor numbers were regulated and strict waste management practices were enforced. “Infrastructure should complement nature rather than dominate it. Community participation and conservation must remain central to eco-tourism initiatives,” he said.
Forest officials said residents would be involved in operating and maintaining the facilities, creating livelihood opportunities while fostering greater awareness of conservation. They added that the initiative would further strengthen the region’s eco-tourism potential.