Amaravati, June 16 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday sought Central assistance for Andhra Pradesh’s Great Green Wall initiative and coastal conservation efforts along the state’s 1,050 km coastline.

Meeting Union Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi, he also sought enhanced support under the Green India Mission and expeditious wildlife clearances for the Sontyam Road project in Visakhapatnam.

Pawan Kalyan said they discussed several key environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives concerning Andhra Pradesh.

The Deputy CM said he thanked the Central minister for the approval of the Aranyaram Common Facility Centre (Training & Research), which covers the units of HANUMAN – Animal Conflict Mitigation Centre, Great Green Wall Monitoring Centre, Forest Fire Command & Control Centre, and State Tiger Monitoring Centre.

He sought suggestions from the Central minister to keep the sacred Godavari free from municipal and industrial pollution.

Pawan Kalyan requested support for increasing the number of base camps in the NSTR region from the present 90 to 150. This initiative will significantly strengthen wildlife protection, particularly tiger conservation, while also generating nearly 300 employment opportunities for local Chenchu youth as Forest Watchers, thereby combining conservation with sustainable livelihoods for indigenous communities.

He also requested support for the provision of motorcycles and free ration facilities for these Forest Watchers to enhance their mobility, efficiency, and welfare while serving in remote forest areas. The Central minister responded positively.

Pawan Kalyan also discussed the need for trained Kumki elephants from Odisha to mitigate human-animal conflict in Parvatipuram district and requested to put a word in for the induction of tigress from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh states to strengthen genetic diversity in Andhra Pradesh’s tiger population.

During the discussions, Bhupender Yadav also spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and extended his support for facilitating these conservation efforts.

Pawan Kalyan said that the Central minister assured full cooperation from the government and expressed his willingness to personally visit Andhra Pradesh on August 12, the International Elephant Day. He also assured that the necessary approvals and sanctions pertaining to these proposals would be taken forward on priority before his visit.

The Deputy CM stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they remain committed to protecting forests, conserving wildlife, strengthening ecological security, and building a greener, more sustainable Andhra Pradesh for future generations.

–IANS

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