Kolleru farmers want state to acquire their land

The farmers, who have lands in the limits of the national wildlife sanctuary, Kolleru are exceptions because they are not allowed to grow crops. After the extension of the wild- life sanctuary in Kolleru from +3 contour to +5 contour, about 77,138 acres in West Godavari and Krishna districts came under the sanctuary.

According to the rules, in the wildlife sanctuary limits the owners of agriculture lands can practise traditional agriculture, without using pesticides and chemicals. But, the farmers are agitating to permit them to use chemical fertilisers for more yield, or else acquire their lands by paying adequate compensation.

Pressurised by farmers, the state government wrote a letter to the National Board of Wildlife and Central Empowered Committee for reduction of the boundary of Kolleru sanctuary from +5 contour to +3 contour to mitigate the problems of the farmers. Otherwise, the Centre has to acquire the land from the farmers by paying compensation.

Senior officers in the AP forest department said under the wildlife sanctuary of Kolleru, there are 59,484 acres in West Godavari and 17,654 acres in Krishna district. He said according to a rough estimate to acquire 77,138 acres of land, around '1,000 crore are required. The Centre is not in a position to bear such a huge amount. If the Centre accepts reducing the boundary of Kolleru, 43,380 acres will come under cultivation.

Undivided Andhra Pradesh Assembly had passed a resolution in 2008 requesting the National Board for reduction of the boundary of Kolleru sanctuary. But, the Centre sent it back and said that the state could not send the resolution without approval of the state wildlife Board.