Giving green signal to the mining of bauxite in Visakhapatnam reserve forest area, Andhra Pradesh government today issued orders to transfer 1212 ha. forest land to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited.

Even though the Bauxite mining is being opposed by environmentalists and local people as well as Maoists, the state government is going ahead because it wants to mobilize funds for the capital construction from the cess and other revenue that accrues to the state from mining of the bauxite. State government is treating bauxite mining as an important source of revenue like the red sanders to be diverted to capital construction. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is very particular about commencement of mining activities as early as possible, even though as opposition leader, he was opposed to the bauxite mining. He personally visited the interior Adivasi villages and the forest to understand the problems involved in the mining of bauxite before announcing TDP’s opposition to the mining. Once in power, is took a somersault and the incorporated the point in the very first budget speech he delivered in the Assembly.

Now, the union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change have accorded their approval (Stage.II) under Section-2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for diversion of 1212.00 Ha. of forest land in Chintapalli and Jerrila R.F of Narasipatnam Forest Division, Visakhapatnam District for mining lease for Bauxite, in favour of M/s. Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited. Union cleared the proposal on 17.08.2015. Following this the state government accorded permission to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force for diversion of 1212.00 Ha. of forest land in Chintapalli and Jerrila R.F of Narasipatnam Forest Division, Visakhapatnam District for mining lease for Bauxite, in favor of M/s. Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited., Hyderabad.