Places of Interest

Jamalapuram

Located in Jamalapuram, 85 Kms from Khammam town and from Vijayawada by road, is a very old Venkateswara Swamy temple. Also called Telangana Chinna Tirupati, “Swayambhoo” and “ Swayam Vyakta” this temple is believed to be over 1000 years old and visited by a large number of devotees especially every Saturday. The temple is considered to be very holy and it’s believed that pujas and darshan here lead to fulfillment of desires and wishes.

Kallur

Kallur is located 50Kms from Khammam. The famous Lord Venu Gopala Swami Temple, built 400 years ago by queen Rudramma Devi, is situated here. Nearby is a  Lord Siva temple constructed by the Kakatiya ruler king Prathapa Rudra, with five lingas and a huge water tank.

Sri Bhakta Ramadasu Smaraka Mandiram

It is known that the place of Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu Smaraka Mandiram situated at Nelakondapalli mandal was the birthplace of Sri Kancherla Gopanna (Sri Bhaktha Ramdas) who was the then thahasildar and constructed Sri Seeta Ramachandra vari devasthanam at Bhadrachalam. Hence the villagers and idols of Lord Sri Rama, Seeta constructed a temple, sri Laxmana Swami along with Sri Bhakta Ramdas were installed and performing daily rituals.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES :

Khammam Fort:

Built in 950AD by the kakatiyas, Khammam fort has a long and checkered history. It was taken over by the Qutub Shahi rulers in the year 1512 and subsequently passed into the hands of asaf jahi rulers in the 17^th century. Built with granite, the fort stands majestically on a hill in the heart of Khammam town.

Kusumanchi:

Just 20Kms from Khammam is Kusumanchi where one of the biggest Sivalingam was installed in the temple built during the Kakatiya period.
A large number of devotees visit the temple during the sivarathri celebrations.

Nelakondapally:

Located 21 kms from Khammam, Nelakondapally is a historic site encompassed by a mud fortification wall covering nearly 100 acres. Excavations have unearthed foundations of brick built viharas, wells cisterns, a mahastupa, terracotta figurines, a bronze idol of Buddha, a miniature stupa carved in lime stone and other early historic mateirals belonging to 3^rd and 4^th centuries AD. According to a myth, the pandavas spent a year of Aznata vasa here after twelve years in exile, working incognito in the palace of Virata Raju, the king of Virata nagaram.

Neeladri Urban Forest Park  Sathupally Town:

Introduction:

 The Urban Park area is the part and parcel of Lankapally Reserve Forest Block (13915.48 Ha) is limits Sathupally Municipality and adjacent to Sathupally town limits. About 150 ha of forest area is fragmented due to diversion of forest land from Lankapally RF to SCCL and this 150 Ha has been developed into Urban Park as it is near to Sathupally Town.

ENTRANCE OF THE PARK

The population of Sathupally town is about 50 thousands. Due to the establishment of Singareni Opencast mines in larger extent near Sathupally town, there is dire need of Urban Lung Space to protect the people from the pollution, other adverse factors and to derive maximum Ecological and Environmental benefits and the entire park area is covered with protection wall (1.30 Kms) and See-through wall ( 2.0 Kms).

Wildlife Movement :-

The urban park, a unique habitat is being attracted and providing a home range for varied biodiversity.

A total of 45 species of butterflies, 25 arthropods, 3 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles, 52 bird species, and a total of 5 species of mammals are found in this park.

1. Activities taken up in Visitors Zone

• Ornamental Design Arch and Ticket Counters with Wing Walls: Front side area (Road side) is fenced with See through Wall over 1.10 Kms length and Protection wall. On either side of main Entrance Gate, Ticket Counter and guard room also constructed
• Walking tracks: (Track-1 – 0.9Kms, Track-2 – 0.9 Kms, Track-3 – 1 Kms, Track-4 – 2 Kms).
• Visitors Amenities: Certain visitor amenities like Pagodas, Watchtower, Battery Operated vehicle, Sitting benches, Rachabandas, Washrooms / Toilets, Dustbins, Solar lighting, Railing Bridge, Butterfly selfie point, Tortoise selfie point and Awareness creating boards on Forest & Wildlife , facilities provided in the Park.
• Water harvesting structure: (10) Nos. Percolation Tanks, (01). Nos. Form pound created in the Park to improve the Soil Moisture Conservation.
• Wilderness area: The Park area is having good grownup bamboo with Eucalyptus & Misc species, wherever the gap exists, the forest and ornamental species are planted to attracting birds, butterflies to attract and to make shelters to birds, butterflies and other small
• Children Play area: To recreate, refresh and create awareness on environment, few play articles arranged.
• 

INTRODUCTION OF VELUGUMATLA URBAN FOREST PARK:

Velugumatla Reserve Forest Block in Khammam District was declared as Reserve Forest vide G.OMs.No.945 and Forest and Rural Development(Forest-III), 15 December 1977 under section 15 of Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967.

ENTRANCE of Park:

Velugumatla RF Block falling in Khammam Municipal Corporation limits duly covering an area of 220.95 Ha or 546 Acres. The area consists of rough undulating terrain with rocky strata and very less soil depth. The predominant growth is Neem, Tuniki, Billudu, Narlengi and other thorny shrub species belonging to the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Scrub Forests Type.

Velugumatla RF Block is available in the vicinity of the Township in less than 7.50 Kms distance from Khammam District Headquarters. Hence it was proposed to develop as a City Forest Block under Nagar Van Udyan Yojana Scheme for providing lung space. In Velugumatla Reserve Forests, the villagers of Puttakota, Rudramkota and Kodumuru have encroached the forest land to the tune of 110.00 Ha approximately and cultivating the commercial crops since 25-30 years for which the bore wells were dogged with the funds of SC Corporation Ltd. In this regard, the Forest Department have taken to task and to retrieve the encroached forest land, the Forest Department have put efforts like Joint inspection of forest-revenue boundaries for fixing boundaries, counseling was given to the encroachers and surrounding villagers, informing the encroachers that tress passing into forest is an offence for cattle grazing and finally the Department has retrieved the total 110.00 Ha area in the year 2015-16.

As per wishes of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana State, the Velugumatla Forest Block is proposed to develop as City Forest Block under Nagar Van Udyan Yojana Scheme.As per the instructions of the Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests, T.S, Hyderabad vide PCCF, TS, Hyd. DO letter Rc.No.15061/2015/Scheme-5, dt.10.09.2015, the then Divisional Forest Officer, Khammam has submitted the Scheme proposals for implementation of Nagar Van Udyan Yojana vide this office Rc.No.3492/2015/A3, dt.01.10.2015 and 19.10.2015 with financial outlay of Rs.250.00 lakhs.

 VARIOUS ZONES OF URBAN PARK

1. CONSERVATION ZONE (208.95 )

• AR Plantations
• Grass land
• Hi-tech Nursery
• Water Harvesting Structures
• ANR
• Fire Watch Tower

Solar pump with borewell

EDUCATION ZONE (4.00 Ha.)

• Sign Boards
• Vana Darshini
• Thematic Plantations
• Awareness Programs
• EEC

3. RECREATION ZONE (8 Ha.)

• Walking Track
• Cycling
• Open Gym
• Battery Vehicle
• Yoga Shed
• Children Play Area
• Adventure Area
• Pagoda
• Vehicle safari