The VUDA notification calling for tender for preparation of detailed project report for development of Yerrakonda and Sitakonda forest blocks under diversion of forest land for non-forest land purpose has evoked stiff opposition and sharp reaction.
VUDA has placed an advertisement dated March 25 on its website inviting tenders from consulting firms for preparing the DPRs and the last date for this is April 3.
VUDA Vice-Chairman T. Baburao Naidu announced at a Meet the Press last month that a township and an international school at the foothill of Sitakonda and a greenbelt on the top were proposed to be developed.
Sitakonda is located between Visakha Valley School and Visalakshinagar and Errakonda near Sujatanagar-Adavivaram.
Former Union Energy Secretary E.A.S. Sarma said VUDA advertisement ran totally counter to its statutory Master Plan which could not be altered without issuing public notice calling for objections.
Poser to VUDA
“Deforestation is prohibited by the Supreme Court in several judgments and even if one acre is to be de-notified as an exception the government should identify two acres of non-forest land for fresh afforestation. Has VUDA identified such land?” he asked Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Giridhar Armane in a letter addressed to him.
Mr. Sarma wanted his letter to be treated as a legal notice against MA&UD and VUDA and if the proposal was not dropped judicial intervention would be sought.
