Withdraw permissions to Uranium mining in Amrabad: Uttam to KCR

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday demanded that the State government withdraw the permissions it granted for Uranium mining at Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forest as it was ruining the livelihood of Chenchu Tribals and also endangering the ecology.

Uttam, in an open letter to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, said that Nallamalla, where the Amrabad forest is located, is among the largest forests in the world and the reports of State government permitting Uranium mining in the area were highly disturbing.

As per the version brought to Uttam's notice, he said the Central government has identified Amrabad of Nagarkurnool and Limbapur of Nagarjunasagar for Uranium mining and the Ministry of Environment has also given clearances. There are also reports of a comprehensive survey done for the proposed mining.

He said Uranium Corporation of India was taking measures for 18,500 tonnes of mining in 38 sq km of Mannanur block, 38 sq km of Padara block, 283 hectares in 76 sq km in Deverakonda range and 542 Ha in Limbapur. They are among the 18 places across the country where Uranium mining has been permitted, as per the reports.

The TPCC chief said the State government has permitted the Uranium mining without imposing any conditions or raising any objections. He said the decision of both Central and State governments would badly hurt the livelihood of Chenchu Tribals living there.

He said Amrabad is a Tiger Reserve and more than 60,000 Chenchu Tribals live in the forest area. Thousands of Chenchu and other tribals would be forced to evacuate the area if Uranium mining is allowed to happen in these areas.

Further, he said the emission of gases due to Uranium mining would pollute the environment which might cause cancer among the locals and it would have a negative impact on future generations. He said the mining would not only affect the wildlife, but also displace thousands of tribals.

Therefore, Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the Chief Minister cancel the permissions granted for Uranium mining so as to protect the Tribals and environment.