Destruction of floodbanks will have devastating impact: Expert

Theoretical Physicist-turned-environment activist Vikram Soni has expressed anguish over lack of any response to an alternative plan for Amaravati.

Prof. Soni, along with noted urban planner Romi Khosla, proposing an alternative plan, urged the Andhra Pradesh government to push the seed capital inland and not build it on the Krishna river.

Prof. Soni, who came to visit the capital area along with National Green Tribunal advocate Sanjay Parik, talking to

The Hindu said that though there was so much support for the Amaravati Natural City plan, which he created along with Prof. Khosla, there was no support for it at the ground level. He said unless the affected people lead a movement, the government would not stop projects that were harmful to the environment.

He said there should be no attempt to destroy the floodplains that were extremely valuable resources. Destruction of floodplains would only narrow the river, and when the floods come the impact would be catastrophic.

Prof. Soni said farmers who were cultivating the lanka (island) lands were unwilling to give up their land.

“They showed us the objections, and they refused to give up their land. They could not be forced to move because the government planned to give the land for the development of casinos and resorts,” he said.