Tourism

The Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh is undergoing a transformative phase of development, where renewable energy investment, industrial growth and heritage tourism are converging to reshape the region’s economy and visitor appeal. At the heart of this change is the massive ₹22,000 crore investment by ReNew Power in Anantapur — one of India’s largest integrated renewable energy projects, comprising 1,800 MW of solar, 1 GW of wind power and a 2 GWh battery-storage system. This clean-energy mega-project, located in Bethapalli (Gooty Mandal) in Anantapur, is expected to generate thousands of jobs, upgrade power infrastructure and boost connectivity — elements that directly benefit tourism growth in the region. Alongside energy and industry, the state government has given new focus to heritage and tourism development in towns like Anantapur and surrounding Rayalaseema. Under the tourism push, initiatives include international-standard homestays in temple and heritage towns, special events to attract visitors, and industrial-tourism tie-ups. For example, as Anantapur’s renewable and industrial infrastructure expands, visitors drawn by heritage sites such as the Lepakshi Temple or the Penukonda Fort may also benefit from improved access, amenities, and local services. Local officials believe the synergy of industry + heritage will lengthen visitor stays, spread tourism off the beaten path, and stimulate allied sectors like hospitality, handicrafts and transportation. However, the transition comes with challenges. Local businesses must upgrade their standards, workforce skills must adapt, and heritage sites must be sustainably managed amid the influx of visitors. Successful integration will depend on balancing economic growth with preserving cultural value and environment. In short, what we’re witnessing in Anantapur is a three-pronged growth model: If this model succeeds, Anantapur could shift from being a largely agrarian district into a regional hub of clean energy, heritage tourism and industrial services — setting an example for the broader Rayalaseema region.

Early monsoon rains have triggered an unexpected boom in the fields of the Rayalaseema region, with villagers and migrant workers in Anantapur district turning to diamond hunting alongside their kharif cultivation. Reports show farmers in rain-washed lands of Anantapur and neighboring districts now search for precious stones in villages like Tuggali and Peravali, where heavy rains strip topsoil and expose buried gems. Long considered a folklore activity, diamond hunting has gained renewed momentum this season — people work in black-soil fields for hours, sometimes discovering diamonds worth lakhs of rupees. The region’s tradition stretches back centuries, with connections to the famed Golconda/Kolconda diamond mines. Despite occasional big wins — such as stones reportedly sold for ₹13 lakh or more — many hunters return home empty-handed. Local farmers, landowners, and traders warn of unregulated sales and exploitation: large syndicates offer distressed prices while claiming rights to purchase the finds. Officials say there is currently no formal system of oversight in the trade. The phenomenon also points to a changing rural economy: migrants return home during rains, redefine fields not just for crops but for glimmers of fortune. For Anantapur district, the diamond rush draws attention to the potential for alternative livelihoods, but also highlights the need for regulation, fair pricing, and land-rights safeguarding.