Tirupati: Withtourist footfall at Horsley Hills increasing steadily, the Annamayya district administration has intensified efforts to protect the hill station’s fragile environment and improve safety for visitors. Popularly known as the ‘Ooty of Andhra Pradesh’, Horsley Hills is emerging as a preferred weekend destination for travellers from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Located about 27 km from Madanapalle, 130 km from Tirupati and 160 km from Bengaluru, Horsley Hills is also easily accessible for short trips. The giant eucalyptus tree ‘Kalyani’, planted by WD Horsley in 1859, is another major landmark and continues to attract visitors more than 150 years later. Horsley Hills, originally known as Yenugu Mallamma Konda, also has a strong association with local folklore and tribal heritage.