Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan’s meetings with Union ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday yielded a series of assurances for the state’s environmental conservation, wildlife protection and rural development initiatives.
The Centre said it will support the “Mission Godavari Clean Project”. The Union ministry of environment agreed to send a team from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to study pollution in the Godavari river and recommend measures to restore the river ahead of Pushkaram 2027.
Key Proposals Accepted
Speaking after he met with Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, Pawan Kalyan said the Centre responded positively to eight key proposals submitted by the state. Among them is the revival of the Indian gaur population in Andhra Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh agreed in principle to provide 50 Indian gaurs, which are expected to arrive later this year. Efforts are also underway to bring six female tigers from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to address the declining number of tigresses in the state’s forests.
Infrastructure and Employment Boost
The Centre also assured support for expanding protection infrastructure in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, where the number of forest base camps is proposed to be increased from 90 to 150. The move is expected to create employment opportunities for local Chenchu tribal youth, who will be engaged as forest guards.
Another development was the Centre’s backing for the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh, a large-scale coastal plantation initiative aimed at protecting the state’s 1,050-kilometre coastline from cyclones, tidal surges and coastal erosion. Funding support is expected through the Centre’s MISHTI programme.
Rural Development Scheme Launch
Later, Pawan Kalyan met Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who agreed to hold the national launch event of a key rural development scheme in Andhra Pradesh on July 1.
