Amravati, June 16 (IANS). Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday sought help from the Central government for the state’s ‘Great Green Wall’ initiative and efforts to conserve the 1,050 km long coastline.
During his meeting with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav in Delhi, he also sought more help under the ‘Green India Mission’ and faster wildlife clearance for the Sontayam Road project in Visakhapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that they discussed many important initiatives of environment and wildlife conservation related to Andhra Pradesh. He said that he thanked the Union Minister for approving the ‘Aranyaram Common Facility Center (Training and Research)’.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan sought suggestions from Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to keep the holy Godavari river free from municipal and industrial pollution. Also sought help from the Center to increase the existing number of base camps in NSTR area from 90 to 150.
This initiative will significantly strengthen the protection of wildlife, especially tigers. Additionally, approximately 300 employment opportunities will also be created for local Chenchu youth as ‘Forest Watchers’, thereby simultaneously promoting conservation and sustainable livelihoods of tribal communities.
He also sought help in improving the mobility, efficiency and welfare of these Forest Watchers by providing them access to motorcycles and free ration, so that they can work better in remote forest areas.
Pawan Kalyan also discussed the need for trained ‘Kumki’ elephants from Odisha to reduce conflict between humans and animals in Parvatipuram district. Also, he requested to talk about bringing tigresses from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to increase the genetic diversity in the tiger population in Andhra Pradesh.
Deputy CM said that Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav assured full support from the government and expressed his desire to personally visit Andhra Pradesh on ‘International Elephant Day’ on August 12.
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav also assured that before his visit, the process of necessary clearances and approvals related to these proposals will be taken forward on priority basis.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, he is committed to protecting forests, conserving wildlife, strengthening ecological security and creating a green and sustainable Andhra Pradesh for the coming generations.
–IANS
DKM/PM