Andhra goes ahead with YSR memorial in reserve forest as ecologists protest

Amidst opposition from environmentalists who claim that the project spread over 1,140 sq km would cause destruction to valuable wildlife in the region,the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to submit the details of proposed memorial.

The “Smruthi Vanam” is planned to set up at Pavuralagutta in Nallamala forest where former state chief minister Y S R Reddy was killed in a helicopter crash along with four others. A memorial stupa,a trekking path to the accident site,breeding centres,nature interpretation centre,besides a peacock park is proposed at the Rs 3.5 crore YSR Memorial Park,to be ready by next September.

The report was sought after non-official members of the National Board for Wildlife such as Brijendra Singh,Valmik Thapar and Asad Rahmani wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that the construction of “Smruti Vanam” was in violation of the Wild Life and Forest Act as the habitat has flora and fauna of bio-economical value. “The 1,140 sq km Gundla Brameswaram Sanctuary is contiguous to the Nagarajunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve and is part of the largest block of Eastern Ghats forest,which is extremely rich in biodiversity,” the experts pointed out.

However,rejecting the allegations,the state officials have contended that “Smruthi Vanam” will not only contribute to the conservation of the area but also convey the conservation message to the public through interpretative signages and guiding system.

The officials said the construction of memorial will be without sacrificing the tree growth and other natural resources and with proper planning. “This will help developing the area around as an ecologically well-established complex with conservation values,” an official said.