Uranium mining in Nalgonda another threat to tigers in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has granted environmental clearance to the state government’s move to mine uranium in the reserve forests of Nagarjunasagar wildlife management division in Nalgonda district. But the move could become a flashpoint among tribals, environmental activists and the government as the division falls within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR).
While the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) has begun acquiring land for the mining project, tribals in Amrabad are getting ready to intensify protests against the proposed mining which they said would harm the tiger reserve.A document titled ‘Telangana Mineral Resources and Initiatives’ released by the department of mines and geology of Telangana government confirmed the threat posed to ATR.
Environmentalist Devidas Manghnani told TOI, “Allowing uranium mining in a tiger reserve that too near Nagarjunasagar reservoir is unacceptable. It will have a huge impact on environment and wildlife.” ATR is spread over Nagarjunsagar division in Nalgonda, Atchampet and Amrabad divisions in Nagarkurnool district.
Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy had also written a letter to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao urging him to drop the mining project.
18,500 metric tonnes of uranium found
UCIL said it has found large uranium resources in the Lambapur-Peddagattu region in Nalgonda district and proposed an open pit and three underground mines. Confirming this, the mines department said 18,550 metric tonnes of uranium was found in Lambapur, Pulicherla, Namapuram and Yellapuram villages.
Accordingly, UCIL filed an application for grant of mining lease in an extent of 542 hectares after getting the clearance from MoEF. Sources said the genesis of the mining project was a letter (dated June 19, 2019) written by deputy inspector general of forests Naresh Kumar to principal secretary for environment and forest, Telangana, seeking permission for conducting a survey and exploration of uranium in 83 square kilometres in Nidgundi reserve forest of Nagarjunasagar wildlife management division and 76 square km in two blocks in ATR by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for exploration and research. Sources said an in-principle approval was given then by the government. Efforts to contact director of mines BRV Susheel Kumar by TOI proved futile.