BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad Sep 25, 2009, 00:04 IST
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has decided develop 'YSR Smriti Vanam' (memorial park) over an area of 1,412 hectares in the Nallamala forest area where late chief minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was killed in a helicopter crash on September 2.
The Cabinet, which met here on Thursday, cleared a proposal to this effect drafted by the state forest department. The project is estimated to cost Rs 3.15 crore.
Briefing mediapersons about the Cabinet decisions, information minister, J Geeta Reddy, said a memorial stupa would be built at the entrance of the project while a 4.5-km trekking path would be laid up to Pavuralagutta, the hillock where the Bell-430 helicopter crashed. The project would comprise a nature interpretation study centre to be set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh besides breeding centres for peacocks, elephants and other animals.
She said that an international consultancy firm would be appointed to advise the forest department on the project, which the Cabinet wanted to complete by September 2, 2010.
On environmental issues, she said the forest department would look into them and obtain necessary clearances.
The Cabinet also set up a six-member ministerial committee to identify a suitable site in the state capital for building another memorial for Rajasekhara Reddy. The government would talk to YSR’s family about building a memorial at Idupulapaya too, where the late chief minister's body was buried. The land belongs to YSR’s family.
The other decisions of the Cabinet included modernisation and doubling the capacity of co-generation power plant of Chodavaram Cooperative Sugar Factory at a cost of Rs 29.74 crore. The Cabinet also approved the proposal to constitute a cooperative society for the welfare of Dudekulas, a community traditionally engaged in making cotton bedding material.
This proposal will only encourage other demagogues to occupy our national parks and forest in the name of remembrance and thereby building cemeteries and memorials.
Already our Indian wild life has to grapple with relentless poaching and encroachment on its habitat. Lest this move if implemented will be a retrograde step in the conservation of our forest and animals. Although Cooperative society for the welfare of Dudekulas is a welcome move, the money shall be used in the conservation of forest by recruiting more forest gaurds and Social upliftment by educating, providing health care to the local inhabitants.
Wildlife needs an undisturbed habitat to thrive and any form of human presence is a deterrent to their survival. Already the time is running out for protecting wildlife from extinction. We hope and pray that the forests are not encroached.
Content Guide
