Andhra Pradesh government will develop Araku Valley-Paderu in tribal-centric Vizag Agency area into an attractive tourist destination on the lines of Ooty, to attract national and international tourists, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated on Saturday.
Inaugurating the World Tribal Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, organised for the first time in India on the lines of World Indigenous People's Day, Naidu said that a special train, with glass windows, will be provided to Araku Valley to attract more and more tourists from Vizag to the valley.
Araku Valley is a beautiful natural location in the state. Lot of film shoots take place in the area for its natural scenic locations.
To improve the economic status of the tribals in the area, the state government would allow tribals be involved in bauxite and sand mining in Vizag Agency area within the purview of existing tribal laws, the Chief Minister said. Tribal women in the area will be given rights on mining to empower their economic status, he added.
"We respect tribal laws and will involve tribal population in the mining activity that will boost their income levels and the revenue would also be utilised for betterment of their lives," Deccan Chronicle quoted Naidu.
Dwelling further on tribal welfare schemes, Naidu said that mineral water would be provided to the tribal area within one year. Rs 50,000 would be given to each tribal bride in marriage by the state government. The CM also promised uninterrupted power supply to the Vizag Agency area. Wherever there is no power supply in the Agency area's villages, solar electricity will be provided, he said.
Under the NTR Arogyasri health scheme, dengue and malaria cases will be tackled well in the area, Naidu stressed. A tribal university will be established in Vizianagaram and a tribal museum will be set up in the Vizag Agency region, the Chief Minister pointed out.
Naidu stressed the need to protect tribal languages and preservation of their culture. The Chief Minister called upon tribals to improve their communication skills to compete in global challenges.
The CM underlined the need to encourage tribal people to take up higher education. Tribals should avail all reservations available to them in jobs as well, he added.
The state government will take steps to grow coffee, pepper, fruits and vegetables by the tribals and provide good marketing facilities for their produce.
Naidu issued cheques worth Rs 10 crore to the Dwakra associations of tribals.
