Visakhapatnam’s energy conservation park a major tourist draw

VISAKHAPATNAM - A large number of tourists and locals in the Kailasagiri area of Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam district are thronging an energy conservation park, that showcases benefits of solar energy and its eco-friendly nature.

The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority and the Non-conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP) have jointly set up this park.

The park has been set up in 0.41 acres of land and many programmes are being initiated to expand over a further five acres.

Everyday this park draws hundreds of tourists from different parts of the country besides the local residents. These visitors say a visit to this energy conservation park offers a good opportunity to understand the usage of renewable energy.

“There are so many things to see here. I am very happy to visit this place. When I will go back, I will tell other people that I saw things like solar cooker in an energy park in Visakhapatnam,” said Sandeep, a visitor from Haryana.

The District Manager of NEDCAP P. V. Rama Raju said solar water heaters, solar cookers, radio, and the use of solar energy for functioning of televisions and lights have been demonstrated in the park.

He also informed that the government is also taking every initiative to popularize the use of solar products.

“The government is also providing subsidy and also they are increasing day by day to popularize these items. After establishment of this park, so many people, both from rural and urban areas, they are visiting our office, and taking these items, and also we are presenting their use in the public and various colleges also,” Raju said.

He further tells that surrounded by green hills and valleys, this park is fast becoming a major charm among people also for its picturesque view

Environmental experts said that the government has also planned to start many missions to conserve energy.

“The solar energy is very expensive, the photovoltaic is very expensive. If you want to bring down the price of generation as well as the price at which you can give it to the people, you must bring new technologies, and the technology is available in Europe and in USA, where you can bring down the cost by 30 percent or more,” said R. V. Ramarao, a professor of environment studies. By Basi Reddy (ANI)