Centre clears air on Uranium mining in AP, and Telangana, says it won't permit excavations
The Center has announced that uranium mining will not be allowed in the Nallamala forests. The Center responded to a question raised in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Srikakulam TDP MP Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on permits for uranium mining in Nallamala. The Minister of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh has replied to this.
In 2005, there were proposals for uranium mining in Periyakatti and Lampapur. The Ministry approved this of Environment. However, the Hyderabad Water Board has vehemently opposed the idea that we cannot protect the quality of water supplied to the city by mining uranium. Uranium mining has been touted, not just those two areas, but also the opium.
Movements against uranium mining are intensifying in the so-called opium forests. Environmentalists, public groups, political parties and locals have raised concerns about uranium mining in green forests. An online petition has been made in the name of Dyfi Telangana, asking not to undertake uranium mining. The petitioner claimed that the excavation would cause severe deforestation in AP and Telangana.
"If the forest is affected by the effects of nuclear pollution, the plants will not grow, and the whole land will become infertile," said the petitioner.
The Srisailam-Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Reserve is also profoundly affected. Environmentalists are concerned that the project, which will be undertaken on a total of 20,500 acres, will damage the Tiger Reserve. Thousands of people have already signed up for this online petition.
Uranium mining emits radon, a radioactive gas, and those who inhale it are at risk for lung cancer. Drinking water mixed with uranium waste can cause kidney problems. Pregnant women who drink that contaminated water are more likely to suffer from a mental illness. Experts say that women with radiation may develop uterine complications and may not even have children.