Proposed DRDO Missile Test Range project falls under Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Joseph says the DRDO is required to take permission from the A.P. State Wildlife Board for using the sanctuary area

AP State Chief Wildlife Warden and PCCF (Wildlife) A.V. Joseph and and his team inspecting the site proposed by the DRDO for setting up of Missile Testing Range in Krishna district.

Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) proposed ‘Missile Test Range Facility Project’ is under the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary near Gullalamoda of Nagayalanka mandal in Krishna district.

Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) A.V. Joseph on Friday told The Hindu that the DRDO was required to take permission from the A.P. State Wildlife Board for using the sanctuary area . Mr. Joseph and his team were accompanied by the official team representing the DRDO and inspected the location of the proposed site for the Missile Test Range Facility.

“It is found that the test range of the project is inside the sanctuary. Thus, the DRDO has to follow the guidelines, meant for conservation of the Wildlife Sanctuary,” added Mr. Joseph.

Apart from the test range, much of the around 8 kilometre proposed road connecting the Technical Range to the Test Range, with in the sanctuary, is another concern raised by the AP Forest Department authorities.

The AP Forest Department team, which also inspected the entire proposed site in Nagayalanka and mangrove forest cover, said that it would give its opinion on the project in the coming days. The DRDO team members, who explained their proposal in detail , also studied the impact on the mangrove forest cover.