As part of the Praja Palana – Pragathi Pranalika celebrations, the Eco-Tourism Division of Telangana Forest Development Corporation (TGFDC), under its flagship brand Deccan Woods & Trails (DWT), successfully concluded a 15-day Hospitality Skill Development Training Programme at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM), Gachibowli, Hyderabad, on 22nd June 2026. The programme, implemented in collaboration with Nirmaan Organization, provided professional training in Cooking,
Front Office Operations, Housekeeping and Food & Beverage Service to 32 tribal, economically disadvantaged and unemployed youth drawn from various districts of Telangana, including Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Mulugu, Vikarabad and Warangal. The initiative was designed to enhance employability and create sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill development in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
The valedictory function was graced by Sri L. Ranjeet Nayak, IFS, Executive Director, Eco-Tourism, TGFDC and Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana, as the Chief Guest, along with Prof. V. Venkata Ramana, Director, NITHM – Guest of Honour and Sri Mayur Patnala, Founder and Global CEO, Nirmaan Organization. Addressing the trainees, Prof. V. Venkata Ramana encouraged them to excel in their chosen careers and make the most of the knowledge and exposure gained during the programme. He emphasized that the skills acquired at NITHM would serve as a strong foundation for their professional growth and remain a lifelong asset.
In his address, Sri L. Ranjeet Nayak, IFS, highlighted the growing opportunities in Telangana’s eco-tourism sector and the importance of empowering local and tribal youth through structured training and employment-oriented initiatives. He stated that the programme was conceptualized to bridge the gap between skill development and livelihood opportunities in eco-tourism destinations managed by TGFDC. Encouraging the participants to continuously upgrade their skills and take ownership of their responsibilities, he remarked that success is driven by dedication, discipline, and sustained effort. Sri Mayur Patnala, Founder and Global CEO of Nirmaan Organization, spoke about the organization’s two decades of work in skill development and community empowerment, emphasizing the importance of transparent and collaborative efforts in transforming lives through education, training and employment support.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the trainees and appreciation of the faculty members and coordinators who contributed to its successful implementation. The event was attended by officers of TGFDC including Smt. K. Shireesha, Senior Divisional Manager & Assistant Director, Eco-Tourism Division, Sri S. Srinivas Rao, Forest Range Officer, Eco-Tourism, Sri K. Suman, Projects Manager, Eco-Tourism, Sri M. Akhil, Head Naturalist, Naturalists Samson Raju, Vamshi Praveen, Rohith, Siddiq and other staff members of TGFDC. Smt. P. Anuradha, Vice President, Nirmaan Organization; Mrs. Michelle J. Francis, Assistant Professor (Training & Placements), NITHM; Dr. Niraj Gohil, Dean (Tourism); Dr. N. Yadagiri, Librarian; faculty members and officials of NITHM and the successful completion of the programme marks another significant step by TGFDC towards promoting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening eco-tourism initiatives and empowering rural and tribal youth across Telangana.
