After uproar on social media with many celebrities voicing against the illegal uranium mining in Nallamalla forests, the Telangana government in the state Assembly has ruled out uranium mining in the Nallamalla forests.
Speaking in the Assembly, KCR went on to recall that it was in 2009 that then Congress government in undivided Andhra Pradesh allowed uranium exploration, and pointed out that in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, uranium mining has also begun. He added that the uranium mining could contaminate water key projects like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala across Krishna river and destroy its delta area. This could also impact water supply to Hyderabad.
Earlier, Municipal Industry KT Rama Rao told the legislative Council that the government will not allow uranium mining. He clarified that no permission was given for mining. KTR said State Wildlife Board in 2016 had given permission for uranium exploration in the forests subject to certain conditions.
“It also made it clear that even if uranium reserves are found, mining will not be allowed,” he said. The minister said no exploration was done in Amarabad Tiger Reserve spread over Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts.
He said following the permission given by the then government in 2009, exploration was carried out in Lambapur, Peddagattu and Chintriyal of Nalgonda district. Department of Atomic Energy”s Atomic Mineral Division (AMD), for exploration and research, found 18,550 tonnes of uranium reserves.
