Growing construction activity in forest area sounds alarm bells

Tirupati: Danger is lurking to the eco system with the government indiscriminately allowing more and more establishments to come up in the forest area between Alipiri and SV Zoo Park on the slopes of Tirumala hills.

The number of constructions coming up in the area has become a major concern as it bound to have an adverse impact on the eco system.More than a dozen building complexes including those already existing are occupying a large stretch of forest affecting environment.

The constructions not only destroy biodiversity but also obstruct the flow of streams originating from the hills which are important for improving ground water in temple city.

First it was the Bypass Road from Alipiri to Cherlopalli for a length of about 6 km replaced vast semi-forest area. It was only Regional Science Centre that was established in an area of 15 acres, 25 years ago.

In later periods, municipal water plant, State Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (SIHM) and other buildings have come. Later, International Cricket Stadium was planned, but works are yet to begin. Recently, a private theme park Devlok was planned and is under progress.

International Science Centre (AP Science City) titled as `Brahmandam’ was also proposed. But construction work has not yet begun. There is no area left in between Alipiri and SV Zoo Park, on the upper side of the road on the slopes of Tirumala hill forests.

While on the down side of the road lands allotted for the construction of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Arvind Eye Hospital and Tata Trust Cancer hospital adding more damage to the eco system.

Hundreds and thousands of trees were cut to take up these constructions and scores of animals from the area were forced to retreat to deep into forest.

Many environmentalists and nature lovers question why the government has been preferring this forest area for construction activities and for allotment of land for various institutions. It is to be noted that barren lands are available in the nearby mandals like Renigunta and Srikalahasti where the government had allotted thousands of acres for industries and other establishments.

``This area between Alipiri and SV Zoo is full of trees including red sanders, home for a wide range of wild animals and also origin for many streams,’’ said K Sreenivasulu Reddy, a soil scientist.

Reddy is also president of the city based `Intellectual Forum’ responsible for taking up many cases against destruction of water bodies.
Sethu Mohan of Seshachalam Eco Friends, a group of nature lovers, said, ``The area is a natural habitat for many wild animals and before these constructions came up, a decade ago, the morning walkers often come across wild animals like spotted deer, wild dogs and wild boars.

Now, they are not seen in the area. They urge the government to preserve bio-diversity of the area and not to take up too much construction activity in the area.