Kinnerasani Dam
Wildlife Sanctuary · Scenic Reservoir · Godavari Tributary
Kinnerasani Dam, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana
The Kinnerasani Dam is located in the Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana, marked by dense forests and surrounded by magnificent hills. The Kinnerasani River is an important tributary of the Godavari. The scenic beauty created by the landscape along the river is panoramic, abutted by lush green landscape.
Purpose and Strategic Utility
The Kinnerasani Project is a storage reservoir constructed on the Kinnerasani River in the Godavari Basin at Yanamboil village of Palvoncha mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District. Completed at a cost of ₹558 lakhs, it was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1966.
The dam serves multiple critical purposes:
- Irrigation: Provides water to irrigate 10,000 acres of agricultural land, benefiting Paloncha and Burgampahad mandals.
- Industrial Water Supply: Supplies water to the Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS) at Palvancha for thermal power generation.
- Ecological Support: Sustains the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary and its diverse flora and fauna.
Project Specifications
Ecological Significance: Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
The reservoir forms a 635 Sq. Km area teeming with wildlife, called the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary. The river flows its course through the Dandakaranya forest, creating a haven for exotic wildlife.
The sanctuary is a home for Cheetal, Chinkara, Wild Boars, Chousinghas, Sambar, Gaurs, Hyena, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Tigers, Panthers, and Black Bucks. Peafowl, Quails, Partridges, Teals, Nuktas, Spoonbills, Jungle Fowl, and Doves are the common birds spotted in this sanctuary created by the dam. Crocodiles also breed in the reservoir and the Kinnerasani Island.
The forest department has developed a deer park en route the dam, offering tourists a chance to see these graceful animals in their natural habitat.
Eco-Tourism and Boating
The Kinnerasani Dam and its surrounding sanctuary have become a major eco-tourism destination. The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has been actively developing the site to attract more visitors.
Boating Facility
Buoyed by the growing response, TSTDC has proposed to induct another boat into its existing fleet. The boating unit earned a substantial revenue of ₹26.76 lakh by operating two boats in the reservoir since its launch over a year ago.
Boats: 35-seater boat and a six-seater mini speed boat.
Visitors: Over 53,240 tourists have taken boat rides till date.
Infrastructure Development
Works on renovation of defunct cottages and a canteen are in progress, part of a ₹16-crore eco-tourism project assisted by the Central government. TSTDC also plans to introduce boating at Parnasala and a one-day Bhadrachalam-Kinnerasani-Parnasala package tour.
Location and Access
The dam is located at a distance of 24 km from Kothagudem and 12 km from Palvancha, the site of Kothagudem Thermal Power Station. Tourists can reach the dam by road from Hyderabad (288 km), Khammam (95 km), and Vijayawada (165 km). Kothagudem is the nearest railway station.
Approximate location of Kinnerasani Dam near Palvancha, Telangana.
Legacy – A Living Reservoir of Water and Wildlife
The Kinnerasani Dam is more than a water storage structure; it is a lifeline for farmers, a source of power for industry, and a sanctuary for countless species. Its creation has transformed the region, balancing human needs with ecological preservation.
- Location: 24 km from Kothagudem, 12 km from Palvancha, Bhadradri Kothagudem District.
- Primary Purpose: Irrigation (10,000 acres) and water supply to KTPS.
- Inauguration: 1966 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Storage: 233 Cu.M at 407 feet FRL.
- Sanctuary: 635 Sq. Km Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Biodiversity: Rich fauna including tigers, panthers, sloth bears, and numerous bird species.
- Eco-Tourism: Boating, deer park, and ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
- Telangana Tourism – Kinnerasani Dam
- Kothagudem City – Kinnerasani: Forgotten Heaven
- The Hindu – Tapping the tourist season
- Government of Telangana – Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
The Kinnerasani Dam stands as a testament to sustainable development, where water management and nature conservation go hand in hand.