The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Two biosphere reserves for State

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Two biosphere reserves for State

Special Correspondent

Jairam Ramesh firm on statutory processes for clearance of pending projects

Reserves aimed at protection and preservation of unique ecology of the areas
Chief Minister seeks time to examine the proposals before giving green signal

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Green agenda: Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh coming out of the Secretariat after a meeting in Hyderabad on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: The Central government has proposed to develop two biosphere reserves in the State. Proposed at Seshachalam area spread over Chittoor and Kadapa districts and Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam, the two biosphere reserves would be the first of its kind in the Eastern Ghats. To be fully funded by the Centre, the reserves are aimed at helping in protection and preservation of unique ecology of the areas.

Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh made the proposal at a meeting with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Saturday. The Chief Minister sought time to examine the proposals before giving green signal.

Dr. Reddy was particular about clearances under Forest Conservation Act for Komaram Bheem project in Adilabad, Veligonda, Somasila, Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanti flood flow canal and Indira Sagar lift irrigation scheme. Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Jairam Ramesh assured that his Ministry would certainly look into the pending projects and emphasised that the ways for expeditious clearances would be explored, subject to “fulfilment of statutory requirements” and ensure that there were no “unnecessary delays as long as all safeguards are met”.

Transparency

“There is no 100-day time plan for awarding clearances. The process should be transparent and statutory processes have to be gone through,” he said.

The Union Minister, who held discussions with non-governmental organisations earlier, said concerns were expressed on various issues including the displacement of tribals in Polavaram project and uranium mining in Nalgonda district. “We treat NGOs as our partners and see no hostility in taking their concerns on board. But there will be decisions that may favour them sometimes and may not favour some other time,” he said.

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