Adivasi JAC Seeks Cancellation of Upper Sileru Land Diversion

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Adivasi Joint Action Committee (JAC) has demanded the immediate cancellation of land diversion approvals granted for the proposed Upper Sileru Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district.

Addressing a press conference, AP Adivasi JAC district chairman Ramarao Dora sought the revocation of G.O. No. 29, which permits the diversion of 128.61 hectares of forest land near Upper Sileru village in Gudem Kotha Veedhi mandal of Chintapalli division for the project.

He said the ministry of environment, forest and climate change had granted final approval for the diversion on July 24, enabling Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGenco) to proceed with the project linking the Guntavada and Donkarayi reservoirs, each with a proposed capacity of 9x150 MW.

Alleging that the land was being acquired in the name of APGenco for eventual transfer to the Adani Group, Ramarao Dora demanded cancellation of all proposed hydropower projects in the Agency area. He questioned the grant of diversion permissions despite assurances that projects affecting Adivasi communities would not proceed without their consent, and said tribal communities were opposing such projects.

He criticised the environment and forests department for permitting APGenco to divert 317.795 acres of forest land for non-forestry purposes, describing the decision as unjust. He also questioned the proposal to undertake compensatory afforestation in Sri Sathya Sai district instead of the affected area.

Ramarao Dora alleged that while tribal families faced stringent conditions in securing ‘Podu’ land titles under the Forest Rights Act, large extents of forest land were being transferred for projects. He warned that Adivasi communities would intensify their agitation if G.O. No. 29 was not withdrawn.