VH appeals to KCR to stop proposal
Hyderabad: AICC secretary and senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao along with Achampet former MLA Vamshi Krishna, TPCC general secretary Bollu Kishan, Chenchulu tribal leader Nagaiah, and Youth Congress leader S P Kranthi Kumar on Sunday visited Nallamalla forest under Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forest where State and Central governments permitted exploration for uranium deposits.
He met Chenchu tribal women and men who live in the forest, collect herbs and leaves and sell them for a living.
He also inspected the well from which they take water for cooking, drinking and daily use.
Speaking to Hanumantha Rao, the Chenchus expressed their concerns about the exploration and mining of uranium. Hanumantha Rao assured them that he would stand by them and see that the government does not carry out uranium mining which will not only cause cancer and other diseases to the people but will also affect the tigers.
Observing that the number of Chanchus living in the forest came down to 6,000 from 12,000, he said Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao should rethink the decision.
He recalled the promise of former MP and daughter of the Chief Minister, K Kavitha, that uranium mining and exploration would not be allowed.
He also appealed to AP Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to take up the matter with the Centre.
Hanumantha Rao said that exploration of uranium would cause health hazards to the people in Ongole, Guntur, Krishna and other parts of Andhra Pradesh in future.
Hanumantha Rao said that he would take the issue to the notice of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in coming days.