Centre Clears Scientific Investigation Into Godavari Pollution After Andhra Dy CM Raises Concern

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday said the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has extended support to a series of state proposals, including a scientific study on pollution in the Godavari River under the proposed Mission Godavari Clean initiative. After holding discussions in New Delhi with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Pawan Kalyan said the Centre has agreed to deploy experts from the Central Pollution Control Board to conduct a detailed assessment of pollution levels in the Godavari and recommend corrective measures to restore the river’s ecological balance.

He said the initiative is particularly significant ahead of the upcoming Godavari Pushkaram festival, when large-scale pilgrim activity is expected along the riverbanks. The scientific study is intended to help improve water quality, manage waste discharge, and support long-term river conservation efforts through evidence-based recommendations. The Deputy Chief Minister also noted that the Centre has approved support for the proposed Aranyaramam Common Facility Centre, which will serve as a multi-purpose hub for forest management and conservation activities.

The facility is expected to include specialised units for human–wildlife conflict management, forest fire control systems, ecological monitoring, and tiger conservation programmes. Pawan Kalyan said the state government has also sought permission to expand base camps in the Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve from 90 to 150, a move that would require the recruitment of additional forest personnel. He added that local Chenchu tribal youth will be engaged in conservation efforts, with the Centre agreeing in principle to support infrastructure and mobility requirements under existing schemes.

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In a major wildlife conservation push, the state has requested assistance for the reintroduction of the Indian Gaur into Andhra Pradesh forests, where the species had previously become locally extinct. He said discussions with Mohan Yadav have helped facilitate arrangements to bring around 50 Indian Gaur to the state between September and October, with dedicated enclosures already being prepared. The government is also working on strengthening tiger conservation measures, including plans to improve the female tiger population by sourcing additional tigresses from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Officials have indicated that two tigresses are expected from Madhya Pradesh and four from Maharashtra as part of interstate wildlife conservation coordination.

Additionally, Andhra Pradesh has sought trained Kumki elephants from Odisha to address increasing human–elephant conflict cases in the Parvathipuram Manyam district. These elephants are typically used in managing wild elephant herds and reducing crop damage in conflict-prone regions. Overall, the discussions reflect a broader push by the state government to combine environmental restoration, scientific monitoring, and wildlife conservation under coordinated support from the central government and neighbouring states.

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