The allocation of the Forests and Environment portfolio to Adilabad MLA Jogu Ramanna has brought hope as well as trepidation among conservationists in Telangana. The hope lies in the fact that belonging to a district once known for its extensive forest cover he will definitely be inclined to check the rapid denudation of forests in the new State.
The fear relates to his resolve in checking environmental degradation as the strong mining lobby is expected to become more active in the tribal areas of Telangana districts, including Adilabad and Khammam, which have rich mineral deposits. There is a great likelihood also of coal reserves being tapped on an unprecedented scale in Telangana to overcome the power shortage though it means the large-scale destruction of forests.
Mr. Ramanna’s task in implementing conservation could become more difficult given the track record of the Forest Department. The Department faces accusations of aiding and abetting illegal felling of trees in forests and some of its officials in Adilabad district have even been named in cases of timber smuggling.
In the two years between 2009 and 2011, the country lost 367 sq km of forest cover of which 281 sq km of green cover was lost in united Andhra Pradesh, over 90 per cent of it being in Telangana. “For the purpose of comparison, the loss of forest cover in Telangana would be equivalent to 250 sq km or 25,000 football fields,” observes Imran Siddiqui of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTICOS), an NGO engaged in tiger conservation in Adilabad district.
The ongoing prospecting for coal in Asifabad and other mandals of Adilabad district has revealed huge coal deposits which will logically entail the opening of mines. As the new mines will be opened in the forest area, it will result not only in the loss of forest cover but displacement of tribal people which is bound to keep the Forest and Environment Minister busy in future.
“We need a policy with regard to the conservation of wildlife including the tiger, policy on grazing and sustainable agriculture close to forests and also on mindless mining,” Mr. Siddiqui says.
