Andhra Pradesh sets up tree‑protection panel and unveils AI tourism platform
The government announced a new advisory committee to curb indiscriminate tree felling and introduced an AI‑driven service to guide tourists in multiple languages.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On 8 October 2026 the Andhra Pradesh government told the state High Court it had formed a Tree Protection Advisory Committee and, in a separate announcement in Seville, launched an AI‑based tourism platform called NiVU AI.
What happened
In Vijayawada the state filed a petition with the Andhra Pradesh High Court describing the creation of the Tree Protection Advisory Committee, which will review any departmental proposal to remove trees and decide whether transplantation is possible. The court ordered the government to set up a toll‑free number and an email address for citizens to lodge complaints about illegal felling.
Later that day Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, speaking at the Tourism Innovation Summit‑2026 in Seville, unveiled NiVU AI, a platform developed by Explurger. The service lets tourists scan an “ASK AI” QR code to receive information in more than 130 languages without needing an app or paying a fee. A pilot is running at Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Mangalagiri, with plans to roll out the system to 30 major destinations in the first phase and eventually to over 100 tourist and pilgrimage sites across the state.
What the reports add
New Indian Express reported that the tree‑protection committee will also use a newly prepared manual that details procedures for transplanting trees rather than cutting them down. The same outlet noted that the High Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan, specifically directed the government to ensure prompt handling of citizen complaints.
Regarding the AI tourism initiative, the outlet highlighted that the platform was launched under a memorandum of understanding with Explurger and that Minister Durgesh emphasized the state’s diverse attractions—from Tirumala and Amaravati’s Buddhist sites to Gandikota canyon and the Vizag coast—as part of the rollout.
What was said
Chief Justice Lisa Gill told the court that a mechanism must be established for citizens to report illegal tree felling, and Justice Challa Gunaranjan added that complaints should be addressed promptly.
Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said the NiVU AI service would allow visitors to access information in “more than 130 languages” via a simple QR code, and he noted that the state aims to “offer a seamless, fee‑free experience” at major tourist spots.
How it came about
The tree‑protection move follows growing public concern over indiscriminate felling, a theme also reflected in Felo’s recent coverage of the Swachh Andhra awards, which highlighted municipal sanitation and environmental initiatives in Vijayawada and Guntur. The AI tourism launch builds on a broader trend of governments adopting artificial‑intelligence solutions, echoing earlier reports on AI‑driven portals such as America.gov and Huawei’s intelligent‑government vision, both covered by Felo in September and early October.
Key facts
- Andhra Pradesh created a Tree Protection Advisory Committee to review tree‑removal proposals. (newindianexpress.com)
- The High Court ordered the state to set up a toll‑free number and email for complaints about illegal felling. (newindianexpress.com)
- Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh launched the NiVU AI platform, enabling QR‑code access to information in over 130 languages. (newindianexpress.com)
- The AI service is piloted at Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple and will expand to 30 destinations in phase 1. (newindianexpress.com)
