Nellore: A recent GO issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests declaring Eco-sensitive Zone around Pulicat Bird Sanctuary near Sullurpeta in Nellore district has jeopardised the AP Industrial Infrastr-ucture Development Corp-oration plans to develop Industrial parks in the border areas of Tamil Nadu in Tada mandal.
Prompted by the rapid growth of industrial activity in Sri City located close to Tada, APIIC was devising plans to acquire more land in the region to attract industries from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
It is hardly 45-minute drive from Chennai to Tada. One has to struggle through heavy traffic for not less than two hours from the city to reach a distance of 50 km anywhere in the city. However, one can make it within one hour to Tada from Anna Nagar in Chennai althou-gh the distance is 90 km.
In fact, this is one the reasons for unprecedented industrial growth in Sri City. APIIC want to cash in on this factor but the GO of MoEF is not enthusiastic.
The extent of Eco-sensitive Zone is two km from north to south along the western boundary of the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. As many as 23 revenue villages and also the industrial parks of APIIC in Tada fall under the restricted zone. The GO restricts land allocation to new projects and existing units cannot go for any expansion. The only solace is that the curbs will not apply for tourism projects.
Eco-friendly cottages for temporary occupation of tourists, such as tents, wooden houses, etc. for Eco-friendly tourism activities, widening and strengthening of existing roads, rainwater harvesting and cottage industries including village industries, convenience stores and local amenities, are allowed in the zone.
The state government sh-all, for the purpose of the effective Management of Eco-sensitive Zone prepare, a Zonal Master Plan, within two years in consu-ltation with people and ad-hering to the stipulations given in the notification.
The activity relating to tourism within the Eco-sensitive Zone shall be as per Tourism Master Plan, which shall form part of the Zonal Master Plan. The Tourism Master Plan shall be prepared by Depa-rtment of Tourism, in consultation with Department of Forests and Environme-nt, Government of AP.
Divisional Forest Officer of Wildlife wing, Mr Chandrasekhar said that they gave wide publicity on dos and don’ts in 23 villages and advised people not to buy land in the area for industrial purpose.
