Will fast track Andhra's forest land demand: Javadekar

Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said his ministry will fast track a proposal by Andhra Pradesh for clearing forest land for creation of its new capital Amravati.

"We will facilitate the creation of a new capital at Amravati and have today (Friday) discussed all modalities and issues arising out of it," Javadekar said after a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The minister said there were 42 degraded forest blocks, for which the state government will be submitting a hard copy of the proposal instead of online submission.

"We have discussed all issues with the state government and have today accepted the proposal. A special forest appraisal committee will assess the proposal sooner than later and will fast track this project," he said.

"We will not be a roadblock but a facilitator."

Javadekar pointed out that the state would undertake greening of double-degraded forest and create more forests in the new capital.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chief Minister Naidu said: "I requested him (Javadekar) to give forest land for the construction of the new capital.

"We have given the proposal and the ministry will examine everything and will take a decision soon."

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju and Minister of State of Science and Technology Y.S. Chowdary also attended the meeting.

Andhra Pradesh will lay the foundation stone of the new state capital Amravati in Guntur district on October 22.