Sat Nov 23 15:13:09 UTC 2024: ## Visakhapatnam Launches Initiative to Save Simhachalam Springs

**Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, November 23, 2024** – A collaborative effort is underway to protect the vital springs in the Simhachalam Hill Ranges, a unique springshed ecosystem crucial to both the environment and the cultural heritage of Visakhapatnam. A workshop organized by DHAN Foundation, VMRDA, and the Simhachalam temple Devasthanam highlighted the urgent need for conservation.

The workshop, which brought together government officials, academic experts, NGOs, and representatives from the Simhachalam temple, resulted in a commitment to create a comprehensive conservation and management plan. This plan will address issues such as structural and vegetative interventions, community engagement, and ongoing monitoring of spring conditions.

The initiative was spurred by the release of “DHARA: A Profile of Visakhapatnam’s Springshed Ecosystem,” a report detailing the findings from the Simhachalam region. The report underscored the interconnectedness of the springs to the region’s ecological health and the cultural significance of the springs to the Simhachalam temple’s rituals.

V. Trinatha Rao, Executive Officer of the Simhachalam Temple, emphasized the temple’s commitment to collaborating on the conservation effort, combining traditional water management practices with modern techniques. Initial fieldwork has already identified 34 springs, with 18 mapped, and further collaboration with tribal communities is ongoing to identify additional water sources.

The VMRDA commissioner reiterated the government’s support for sustainable conservation, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between DHAN Foundation and VMRDA to formalize long-term conservation efforts. The workshop concluded with a pledge to conduct joint field visits and finalize a detailed action plan within a set timeframe. Over 20 actionable points with assigned responsibilities were identified to combat environmental degradation and restore the ecological and cultural importance of the springs.

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