Araku Valley is a hill station in Alluri Sitharama Raju district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, lying 111 km west of Visakhapatnam city. This place is often referred to as ''Ooty of Andhra''. It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by different tribes, mainly Araku Tribes.

Geography

Araku is located in the Eastern Ghats about from Visakhapatnam, close to the Odisha state border. The Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest, which are part of Araku Valley, are rich in biodiversity and are mined for bauxite. Galikonda hill rising to a height of is amongst the highest peaks in Andhra Pradesh. The average rainfall is , the bulk of which is received during June–October. The altitude is about 1300 m above the sea level. The valley spreads around 36 km.

Economy

Coffee was introduced in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh in 1898 by British in Pamuleru valley in East Godavari district. Subsequently, it spread over to Araku Valley in the early 19th century. After independence, the

Andhra Pradesh Forest Department Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is one of the administrative divisions of Government of Andhra Pradesh. It is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Head of Forest Force. The primary function of this department is protection, con ...

developed coffee plantations in the valley. In 1956,

Coffee Board Coffee is a drink prepared from roasted coffee beans. Darkly colored, bitter, and slightly acidic, coffee has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content. It is the most popular hot drink in the world. Seeds of th ...

appointed Andhra Pradesh Girijan Cooperative Corporation Limited (GCC) for promoting coffee plantations in the valley through local tribal farmers. In 1985, the plantations were handed to A.P. Forest Development Corporation and GCC promoted Girijan Coop. Plantation Development Corporation (GCPDC) exclusively to develop coffee plantations in tribal areas. All the plantations developed by GCC and GCPDC were handed over to the tribal farmers at two acres per family. Apiculture farms have been widely spread in Araku, several types of flavoured honey is being made commercially.

Transport

A view of Araku Valley, a hill station in Visakhapatnam district

Araku is connected through both rail and road to Visakhapatnam.

Araku railway station Araku railway station (station code:ARK) is an Indian railways station located near Araku Valley of Alluri Sitharama Raju district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It belongs to South Coast Railway zone under Vishakapatnam railway division. The ...

is located on the

Kothavalasa Kothavalasa is a Suburb in Visakhapatnam city but present in Vizianagaram district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Kothavalasa mandal of Vizianagaram revenue division. It is located 30 km from the city of Visakhap ...

Kirandul Kirandul is a town and a municipality in Dantewada district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located roughly 400 km south of Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh and 41 km southwest of Dantewada-the district headquarters. The wa ...

railway line of Visakhapatnam division of the East Coast Railway, on the Indian Railways network. RTC Buses to Visakhapatnam every half an hour.

In popular culture

Many

Telugu films Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hy ...

including ''Happy Days'', ''Katha'', ''Darling'', ''Life Is Beautiful'' and '' Parugu'', were shot in Araku.

Gallery

A view of Araku Valley hill station in Andhra Pradesh

A local church entrance at Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh

References

External links

ARAKU VALLEY COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE
{{Wikivoyage, Aruku Valley
Araku Valley
Pictures of Tribal museum, horticulture nursery, tribal dancing & Borra caves
Katiki Water Falls
Chaparai Water Cascade Valleys of India Hill stations in Andhra Pradesh Tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh Landforms of Andhra Pradesh Uttarandhra Mandals in Alluri Sitharama Raju district