{
  "id": 13007368,
  "title": "Araku Pinery: New experiences at the community-led eco-tourism retreat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/araku-pinery-new-experiences-at-the-community-led-eco-tourism-retreat-13007368",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:29:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/araku-pinery-new-experiences-at-the-community-led-eco-tourism-retreat/article71558325.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the heart of the Araku Valley lies the Araku Pinery, a pine-lined retreat that has transformed itself into a community-led eco-tourism destination. Nestled among towering pines, the 27-acre plantation now offers visitors a range of experiences that bring them closer to nature. Recently, pottery has joined the list of activities available at the site. Visitors can spend time working with clay, creating keepsakes to take home. The addition of pottery aligns with the broader trend of expanding offerings at Araku Pinery, which has seen a surge in visitors in recent years. As of 2025-26, the destination recorded 1.79 lakh visitors, an 80% increase compared to the previous year. This growth has been instrumental in generating a revenue of ₹1.06 crore for the location. The management of Araku Pinery involves the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and the Van Sanrakshan Samiti of Shanti Nagar village, a local community organization. The project has employed 15 members from the village, plus a Dhimsa cultural team of 26 members and eight individuals working through local shops. As a result, 49 families are directly benefiting from the activities surrounding the eco-tourism site. The Forest Department aims to allocate 40% of the revenue generated by Araku Pinery towards village development in the upcoming fiscal year. The plantation, originally established in 1975-76, has faced challenges, including damage from Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. To revitalize the area, an eco-tourism project was launched in 2023 with financial support from the Central Warehousing Corporation's CSR initiative. The project has introduced various facilities, including landscaped areas, visitor amenities, camping spaces, a cafeteria, and a venue for community activities. Araku Pinery has also received State-level recognition for its cleanliness, earning the Swachha Andhra Award in the Swachha Tourist Place category. To promote responsible tourism, the Pinery requires visitors to declare any plastic water bottles at the entry point. A deposit system is in place, reimbursing the deposit upon bottle return. The Pinery is also exploring further developments, such as the introduction of ATV rides and the construction of mud houses. Seasonal attractions, including a strawberry patch and niger plants, add visual appeal to the site. With spaces designed for slower, nature-based experiences like wooden decks, tree decks, camping areas, and a solitude zone, Araku Pinery remains a popular spot for photography, pre-wedding shoots, and filming. The diverse offerings of the eco-tourism retreat highlight the community's efforts to create a sustainable, visitor-friendly destination that benefits both locals and the environment.",
  "summary": "With pottery, camping, adventure rides and seasonal farms joining its pine-lined attractions, Araku Pinery is preparing for a busy tourist season",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
        "title": "Araku Pinery: New experiences at the community-led eco-tourism retreat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/araku-pinery-new-experiences-at-the-community-led-eco-tourism-retreat",
        "published": "2026-10-09T02:29:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}