Telangana house against uranium mining in Nallamalla jungle

Hyderabad, Sep 16 (IANS) The Telangana Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution, urging the Centre not to permit uranium mining in Nallamalla forests.

An official resolution moved by Industry Minister K.T. Rama Rao was passed by a voice vote.

"This House unanimously resolves to request the government of India not to permit or allow mining operations uranium in Nallamalla forests of Telangana state," read the resolution.

Rama Rao said the Centre should withdraw any proposal to take up mining in Nallamalla forests as this would harm the environment and endanger the region's rich bio-diversity.

The minister said the radiation from uranium will not only contaminate soil and crops but also air and water.

He said uranium mining would destroy the pristine forests known as the habitat of tigers and many other wild animals. He pointed out that Chenchus and other tribal communities dwell in the forests and it also houses key projects built across Krishna river.

The resolution was passed a day after Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao made it clear in the Assembly that the government has neither allowed uranium mining in the forests nor will allow it in future.

Responding to the apprehensions express by the opposition and the concern voiced by various sections of the society, Rao said his government will not allow destruction of Nallamalla forests at any cost.

He recalled that it was in 2009 that then Congress government in undivided Andhra Pradesh allowed uranium exploration. He pointed out that in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, uranium mining has also begun.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said uranium mining could contaminate water in key projects like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala across Krishna river and destroy the delta area under it. He said this could also impact water supply to Hyderabad.

He also told the House that if the Centre tries to put pressure over the issue, "we will fight unitedly".