Forest authorities want to enhance the entry fee for Papikondalu park
Kowdiar Park under renovation (Photo: DC)
Rajahmundry: Tourists planning to visit picturesque Papikondalu have to shell out extra money as the forest authorities are planning to impose entry fee on them for entering into Papikonda national park shortly.
The imposition of entry fee by the forest authorities was dogged by controversy for some time resulting in a section of private boat operators approaching the High Court and the latter has issued directions recently to the forest authorities to implement the GO No. 35 issued earlier. As per the order, an adult will be charged Rs 2 and a child Rs 1 and the amount should be collected by the forest staff only.
Earlier, the forest authorities used to collect entry fee Rs 10 per adult and Rs 5 for a child as per the provisions of the AP Wildlife Protection Rules. The amount used to be collected by the members of Eco-Development Committees.
A part of the fee thus collected used to go to the government while a major share used to be allotted for welfare of the EDCs.
The private boat operators opposed imposition of entry fee and AP Tourism Development Corporation also refused to pay entry fee saying that they are part of government. Finally, the prevailing stalemate ended as the HC issued directions to the forest authorities.
However, the forest authorities intend to file a review petition in the High Court with a plea to allow it to implement entry fee as per AP Wildlife Protection Rules as it gives them some good amount of money to be used for protection of environment and maintenance of sanitation. They maintain that collecting such a paltry amount of Rs 2 and Rs 1 from the tourists involving their staff becomes highly unviable.
As Papikondalu is a favourite destination for a large number of tourists from several parts of the state as they sail on curvaceous cou-rse of the river enjoying lush green valleys, hillocks, greenery, thick forests and wildlife on either side of the river,
APTDC and private operators run several boats from Pattiseema in West Godvari and Pochavaram near Badrachalm to Papikondalu and vice versa. APTDC charges Rs 650 for an adult and Rs 550 for a child while private operators charge a little less than it. The demand to visit Papikondalu will be more during weekends and holidays. Meanwhile, forest authorities are planning to collet entry fee at Singanapalli from all tourists soon.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
