HYDERABAD: The Central government has proposed to develop two biosphere reserves in Andhra Pradesh. Proposed at Seshachalam area spread over Chittoor and Kadapa districts and Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam, the two biosphere reserves would be the first of their 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 the Forest Conservation Act for the Komaram Bheem project in Adilabad, Veligonda, Somasila, the Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanti flood flow canal and the Indira Sagar lift irrigation scheme. Speaking to reporters later, Mr. 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." "The process should be transparent and statutory processes have to be gone through," he said.Mr. Ramesh, who held discussions with non-governmental organisations earlier, said concerns were expressed on various issues including displacement of tribals in Polavaram project and uranium mining in Nalgonda district.
The Hindu, 7th June, 2009
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