Rajahmundry, July 16: In an attempt to tap the increasing tourism potential, forest authorities came up with plans to promote tourism in the Coringa wild-life sanctuary in East Godavari district from August. The authorities prepared plans to press into service two diesel-run 20-seater boats acquired at a cost of Rs 3 lakh each. Two speed boats with eight-seater capa-city each and two four-seater pedal boats. The big boats will facilitate joy ride to the tourists in one of the tributaries of Godavari where the river water merges into the sea near Chollangi. Tourists interested to visit the Hope Island will also be taken to the island sailing in the sea waters for a few kilometres distance. Two pedal boats will be pressed into service in the small creek at Chollangi nursery. During high tide water enters into the mada forests and the creek and this helps visitors enjoy a boat ride on pedal boats in the creek. The officials are sprucing up the amenities at the creek by providing ghats and benches for the visitors to sail, sit and rest. A 500-metre board walk in the mada forests is another attraction for the tourists. The visitors can enjoy the walk through the mada forests finding out various species of plants mainly white and black mada trees and several species of fauna like fishing cat, wild fox, otters, Brahmin kite and various kinds of birds. The visitors can also enjoy the fishing with the anglers in the backwaters. The visitors can enjoy the overview of the Mada forests and the bounteous beauty of nature in the surround areas covered with both the river and sea waters from a watch tower located at the Chollangi nursery. Visitors interested to stay put at night will be given the accommodation in the rest rooms belonging to forest department at Coringa. The forest officials are giving training to the young tribals who are the members of the Eco-Development Committees in the sanctuary to serve as guides to the tourists. The tribal youth are expected to explain about the significance of the mada forests, their formation, sustenance and the various species of flora and fauna found in the forests. A section of the tribals will also be trained to improve their culinary skills to prepare delicious dishes with locally popular crabs and prawns to serve to the visiting tourists. Divisional forest officer (wildlife) K. Govinda Rao said, "We are working out various packages to attract the tourists to visit the sanctuary. A part of the proceeds will go for welfare of the tribals for their sustenance."