Vijayawada: Nature lovers in the NTR district will soon have the opportunity to explore the unexplored stretches of the Mulapadu Reserve Forest, as the forest department is set to launch a ‘Jeep Safari’ within the reserve. The department has procured two jeeps for this purpose, which are currently stationed at Mulapadu Nagaravanam.Originally, the forest department planned to launch the Jeep Safari on Vijaya Dasami for the Dasara festival. However, the officials postponed the launch to another date, citing the unmotorable terrain covered with sludge, as the forest area experienced intermittent rainfall over the last fortnight. Currently, just one-kilometre-terrain on the safari stretch is motorable while the rest of the area is ridden with sludge.“All arrangements are in place for the official launch of the Jeep Safari. We are planning to launch the jungle safari around October 10, when the rains in Central Coastal Andhra would be reduced and when dry weather comes to the region,” NTR district officer G Satish told TOI.The district forest officer said that the Head of Forest Force is expected to inaugurate the Jeep Safari in the Mulapadu forest, which is going to be a first-of-its-kind experience in the NTR district. Mulapadu, surrounded by lush green forest space, has picturesque locations. The region is dotted with several water streams and falls, which come to life during the monsoon season.“The proposed Jungle Safari would cover a total of 14 kilometres stretch, which includes seven kilometres on the up stretch and as many kilometres on the down stretch. On the proposed stretch, visitors can access four major waterfalls along with minor streams. While visitors can experience all four major waterfalls throughout the rainy season, the minor ones would stay just for one or two days and drain out after rains recede in the forest,” the DFO said.The DFO added that the Jeep Safari ride, which will last around three hours, will go to the Anjaneya Swamy temple inside the forest and return from there to the starting point.
