Telangana CM Revanth Reddy orders eco-tourism push on Hyderabad forest lands
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy has ordered eco-tourism development across Hyderabad's forest reserves and the Bharat Future City corridor, while simultaneously directing upgrades to Durgam Cheruvu, Taramati Baradari, and the heritage Puranapul bridge. With a Global Investment Summit in December on the horizon, the state is racing to position Hyderabad as both a green and heritage tourism destination.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy directed eco-tourism development on forest department lands within Hyderabad 's core urban area on 6 July .
Forest lands within Bharat Future City limits are to be developed as international-level tourism destinations.
Durgam Cheruvu , Taramati Baradari , and heritage bridge Puranapul are earmarked for major tourism upgrades.
Vikarabad to be developed as a tourism hub, anchored by the Sri Veerabhadraswami Temple , with a managing committee modelled on Yadadrigutta .
Officials asked to begin preparations for the Global Investment Summit in December , with inter-departmental coordination committees to be formed.
Special officers to be appointed to expedite eco-park works within CURE limits.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday, 6 July directed state officials to develop eco-tourism on forest department lands within the Hyderabad core urban area, signalling a major push to convert the city's green reserves into structured public destinations. The directive, issued at a high-level review meeting of the Tourism Department, also covers forest lands within the proposed Bharat Future City corridor.
Key Directives from the Review Meeting
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials to develop forest lands within Hyderabad's urban limits as eco-parks, citing the recently inaugurated Gurramguda Eco Park in Rangareddy district as a model. He called for an 'urban forest style' development within the limits of CURE (Core Urban Region Extension) and ordered the appointment of special officers to accelerate project execution.
For Bharat Future City, the Chief Minister wants forest lands developed as international-level tourism destinations — an ambition that would align the greenfield smart-city project with global eco-tourism benchmarks.
Heritage Sites and City Landmarks Earmarked for Upgrade
The meeting produced a broad set of instructions covering several of Hyderabad's iconic landmarks. Durgam Cheruvu is to be developed into a full-fledged tourist destination, while the historic Taramati Baradari is to be made more visually and experientially attractive. The Chief Minister also directed that heritage bridges such as Puranapul be converted into tourist spots, with traffic rerouted through alternate roads if required to ease visitor access.
Additionally, the Manjeera and Dilkhusha guest houses in Hyderabad are to be modernised under the new tourism framework.
Vikarabad as a Regional Tourism Hub
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed that Vikarabad be developed under the Tourism Hub Development Scheme, with the Sri Veerabhadraswami Temple as its centrepiece. He ordered the formation of a managing committee for the temple, modelled on the governance structure of the Yadadrigutta temple. The move is aimed at channelling religious tourism into a more organised, infrastructure-backed framework.
Global Investment Summit Preparations Begin
At the same meeting, the Chief Minister asked officials to begin preparations for the Global Investment Summit scheduled for December, with a focus on attracting tourism-sector investment. He called for high-level inter-departmental coordination committees to be set up ahead of the summit.
The review was attended by Chief Minister's advisor K. Ramakrishna Rao, Special Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Tourism Department Special Principal Secretary Vani Prasad, and other senior officials. With multiple projects now in the pipeline, the pace of implementation — and the appointment of dedicated officers — will determine whether Hyderabad's green and heritage assets are meaningfully transformed before the December summit.
Point of View
Puranapul, Taramati Baradari — that successive governments announced but rarely delivered on. The Gurramguda Eco Park model is promising, but scaling it across an entire urban forest belt requires sustained bureaucratic follow-through, not just ministerial directives. The appointment of special officers is a positive signal; whether they are empowered and accountable will be the real test.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What eco-tourism plans did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy announce for Hyderabad?
CM Revanth Reddy directed officials to develop eco-tourism on forest department lands within Hyderabad's core urban area, modelled on the Gurramguda Eco Park in Rangareddy district. He also called for urban-forest-style eco-parks within CURE limits and international-level tourism destinations on forest lands in Bharat Future City.
Which Hyderabad landmarks are set for tourism development?
Durgam Cheruvu is to be developed into a full-fledged tourist destination, Taramati Baradari is to be made more attractive, and the heritage bridge Puranapul is to be converted into a tourist spot with alternate traffic routing. The Manjeera and Dilkhusha guest houses are also slated for modernisation.
What is the plan for Vikarabad under the Tourism Hub Development Scheme?
Vikarabad will be developed as a regional tourism hub with the Sri Veerabhadraswami Temple as its primary focus. A managing committee, similar to the one overseeing Yadadrigutta temple, is to be formed to govern the site.
How does the Global Investment Summit connect to these tourism plans?
CM Revanth Reddy asked officials to begin preparations for the Global Investment Summit scheduled for December, which will include a push for tourism-sector investment. High-level inter-departmental coordination committees are to be set up to manage the summit's planning.
What is Bharat Future City and why is it relevant to eco-tourism?
Bharat Future City is a proposed greenfield smart-city project near Hyderabad. The Chief Minister has directed that forest lands within its limits be developed as international-level eco-tourism destinations, integrating green tourism into the city's foundational planning.
