Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan met with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi to request Central assistance for the state’s Great Green Wall initiative and coastal conservation efforts along its 1,050 km coastline. He also sought increased support under the Green India Mission and quicker wildlife clearances for the Sontyam Road project in Visakhapatnam.
Kalyan expressed gratitude for the approval of the Aranyaram Common Facility Centre, which includes units like the Animal Conflict Mitigation Centre and the Forest Fire Command & Control Centre. He emphasized the importance of keeping the Godavari free from pollution and proposed expanding the number of base camps in the NSTR region to enhance wildlife protection and create employment opportunities.
Furthermore, he asked for backing in providing motorcycles and free ration facilities for Forest Watchers to improve their mobility and welfare in remote forest areas. Kalyan also discussed the need for trained Kumki elephants from Odisha and the induction of tigress from other states to enhance genetic diversity in Andhra Pradesh’s tiger population.
Bhupender Yadav assured full cooperation and expressed readiness to visit Andhra Pradesh on International Elephant Day, August 12. He pledged to expedite necessary approvals before the visit, emphasizing the government’s commitment to forest protection, wildlife conservation, and ecological security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
