Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar on Friday announced that homestays would be allowed in the thatched houses of the Konda Reddi tribe living on the Gudisa hill, the only grassland destination in Andhra Pradesh, and where the Green Munia (amandava formosa) species are found.

Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, above 100 people are living in the Gudisa village, which population was 91 according to the census-2011. The grassland is thronged by lakhs of devotees from across South India and night stay was banned after the visitors set fire to the grassland during winter. 

Mr. Dinesh Kumar, along with Joint Collector S. Prasanth Kumar, District Forest Officer N. Ramachandra Rao and Tourism Department officials on Friday visited the Guidsa village, and held discussion with the Konda Reddi tribal people and convinced them to develop community- based tourism infrastructure facilities. Officials assured the tribals that the initiative would help generate livelihood opportunities for the community. 

The Gudisa grassland falls in the Reserve Forest limits and comes under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.

The Konda Reddis have sought access to safe drinking water, electricity and road connectivity to their Pullangi panchayat headquarters.

The Collector directed officials to ready a comprehensive tourism action plan for the Gudisa grassland, with solutions to the Konda Reddis infrastructure challenges and conservation of the grassland. 

“Facilities such as road connectivity, drinking water, viewpoint, parking place and visitors security will be provided on the grassland. The tribals will be involved in the tourism operations of the grassland for their employment”, said Mr. Dinesh Kumar.

The Collector also assured promotion of tribal products through community-based tourism activities.