HYDERABAD: The picturesque Ananthagiri Hills located in a pristine and dense forest region, close to Vikarabad in Rangareddy district, is set for rejuvenation, thanks to the initiative launched by Task Force for Sundara Ananthagiri (TFSA).
TFSA has adopted Ananthagiri Hills under the Grama Jyothi programme for development of the area.
The TFSA which has initiated the work for rejuvenation of Ananthagiri Hills has developed three treks through the bioreserve forest for bird sightings and identifying tree and plant species for nature buffs.
The TFSA was set up with Rangareddy collector, Telangana Special Protection Force Director General, Rangareddy SP, RR District Forest Officer, Superintendent of TB Chest Hospital, Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Friends of Flora and Fauna Society and Hyderabad Birding Pals.
Project Sundara Ananthagiri has been conceived to sensitise the citizens specially children about their tryst with nature, the bounty of Ananthagiri and the need to care for forests. These hills have a large species of medicinal plants, endemic and rare plants. About 150 species of birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and other animals are found in these forests.
It would be inaugurated on October 10 to coincide with the launch of an awareness campaign among school and college goers through literary competitions to be held atop the hills. About 500 students from 32 schools and 13 colleges will take part in the essay writing, elocution and painting competitions for all school and college children of Vikarabad.
With the bird sightings, poised to increase in the coming months, a multi-institutional programme with the collaboration of the district administration and forest department is to set up bird watching stations, screen educative films about the environment.
Ananthagiri Hills, where the river Musi originates, are the main water source for Osmansagar and Himayatsagar and have most dense forests in Telangana region. Ananthagiri has a famous ancient temple located on the hill top in the forest region. It is also considered one of the earliest human habitat areas in South India with ancient caves and medieval fort like structures.
Task Force director Tejdeep Kaur Menon stated that the efforts of the Task Force on Sundara Ananthagiri is to draw up a master plan for the development of Ananthagiri into a citizen-friendly bioframe to take corrective steps and halt degradation of the reserve forest.
The TFSA has declared open three short treks recently.
The first, Hornbill Trek (Kommu Kasiri Pitta), starts from the Viewpoint Tower inside the Forest Complex and is a 1.4 km-long one, starting with a gentle downhill slope. It’s a bird lover’s dream and ambling along, one can hear the chirps, tweets and other sounds made by birds.
The Woodpecker Path (Vadrangi Pitta) trek starts from the R&B road near the forest rest house but takes a detour from the Partridge path after an initial 500 metres having a length of 3 km.
The Rose Ringed Pitta Walk (Rama Chiluka) is 1.9 km long, perfect for people of all ages. Walkers are greeted by the sounds of woodpeckers.