Greens oppose YSR park

Rajahmundry
Oct. 26: Environmentalists oppose the proposed construction of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy Smruthi Vanam in Velugodu reserve forest area over about 3,000 acres falling in the Srisailam tiger reserve, saying that it will affect the wildlife habitat.
The state government has issued an order recently, allocating 3,000 acres in the Velugodu reserve forest area falling in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve spread over about 3,568 square km in the five districts of Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar, for construction of a Smruthi Vanam in memory of the former chief minister YSR who was killed along with four others in a chopper crash in the Nallamala forests on September 2.
The government also issued another order on October 23 constituting a high power steering committee for establishment and monitoring the execution of works relating to the development of Smruthi Vanam.
Environmentalists argue that developing a structure in the tiger reserve area will certainly result in developing infrastructure resulting in an influx of tourists on a regular basis and disturbing wild-life.
They found fault with the state government for not consulting the Union ministry of environment and forests which is mandatory before issuing a government order.
They have alerted the Union ministry of environment and forest authorities over the development and are planning to approach the High Court, seeking its intervention to protect the conserve the tiger reserve.
The noted environmentalist, Dr T. Patanjali Sastry said, “We are not against construction of YSR Smruti Vanam in memory of great service rendered to people in the state. We only oppose its placement in a tiger reserve. It will be more app-ropriate at Idupulapaya.”