Mon Apr 07 16:17:42 UTC 2025: **Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Promises Araku Tourism Boost**
VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh – Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan pledged to advocate for the development of Araku Valley as a major tourist destination, highlighting its immense potential. During a visit to Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district on Monday, where he laid the foundation stone for a road under the ‘Adavi Thalli Bata’ program, Kalyan promised to lobby with Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Kalyan recalled his 2018 visit to Araku and emphasized the need to leverage the popularity of Araku Coffee to create local employment, proposing expansion of coffee plantations by an additional 100,000 acres from the current 225,000 acres. He also called for replacing the non-native silver oak trees in coffee plantations with more fire-resistant alternatives like jackfruit trees.
Addressing concerns, Kalyan acknowledged the persistence of superstitions among the tribal population and urged youth to avoid ganja cultivation, promising alternative employment opportunities from the NDA government. He noted that despite tribal voters not supporting NDA candidates, the government remains committed to their development.
Separately, a world record was set in ASR district on World Health Day, with 21,000 tribal students performing Surya Namaskarams simultaneously. Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani praised the district administration’s efforts, while Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar highlighted the five months of preparation involved. The event was witnessed and certified by an official from the World Records Union, London.
First Piper 