Kalpavriksha removed in highway extension

By U Sudhakar Reddy

Despite repeated requests from environmentalists, the state forest department has failed to protect and translocate the Kalpavriskha trees, a rare and endangered species, situated along the highways. Thus from 20 such trees in the state, there are now only 13.

They have, instead been removed during highway extension and while laying the Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad. At least seven trees have been removed on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada national highway and the ORR.

Kalpavriksha — also known as known as Baobab — live from 100 to thousands of years in the state and are mostly distributed in Krishna, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

Mr A. Ravi Kiran, a former research fellow with NRSA said, “We have requested the AP Biodiversity board of the forest department several times asking them to translocate the trees. But there was no response and ultimately they were removed without concern. There were only 20 such trees in the state and now we have lost seven.”

These trees were removed at Chillakallu, Sher Mohammed Pet in Krishna district and Hayatnagar in Ranga Reddy.

Baobab is scientifically known as Adansonia digitata. In India it is known as Kalpavriksha as it provides food, water, shelter and has medicinal values. One of the trees, aged 700-year old, situated near Golconda Fort, has a 36-square-feet hollow and can accommodate at least 12 persons.

Hyderabad 6th most polluted city in India: Krishna and Godavari water unfit for drinking

U. SUDHAKAR REDDY
NONE OF THE WATER SOURCES IN THE STATE ARE SAFE FOR DRINKING OR BATHING
Climatic conditions in the state are clearly worsening.
In fact, environmentalists say that the state capital is the sixth worst polluted city in the country.
Alarmingly, the Krishna and Godavari rivers, that contribute around 90 per cent of the state’s surface water resources, are polluted with sewage, discharge of untreated effluents from industries and agriculture run offs.
The rapidly increasing air pollution and water contamination levels in Hyderabad and other cities, pose a grave risk. In it’s report, State of Environment in AP, the Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (Eptri), says that none of the water sources in the state are safe for drinking or bathing without treatment.
The EPTRI clarifies that Godavari river water is within safe limits till Manchiryal, but further downstream, the water is very polluted. Kolleru and Pulicat lakes are in a worse condition. According to the Water Conservation Mission, the state will move from a “scarcity of water” situation to a “severe scarcity of water” situation by 2020. This will be the result of over exploitation of surface water resources and indiscriminate tapping of ground water.
In 36 mandals of East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna, ground water is unsuitable even for irrigation.
Studies reveal that bulk drug industries in LB Nagar.
Uppal, Bollarum, Jeedimetla, Sanatnagar and Balangar, are polluting the ground water.
Eptri experts point out that even a major city like Hyderabad does not have total sewer system coverage, and barely one-third of sewage is treated. The rest flows into the Musi river.
The present sewage system covers about 70 per cent of the GHMC jurisdiction, excluding former municipalities and a small portion of the LB Nagar sub-circle.
The remaining eight former municipalities do not have a sewage system in place.
This situation results in the spread of diseases like cholera.
Mr. T. Sagar Reddy, an environment activist says, “The AP Water Land and Trees Act, 2002, enacted for water conservation and tree cover, and to regulate the use of ground water, is not implemented properly.” Hyderabad is struggling to deal with severe air pollution as well. According to the APPCB, Panjagutta, Abids, Charminar and Paradise, are the worst traffic junctions where carbon monoxide levels reach 4-5 mg per metric cube during peak hours, as against a “below 2mg per metric cube” tolerable mark.
APPCB senior environmental engineer, Mr T.Rajendra Reddy said, “Air pollution is touching the highest levels during peak hours at traffic junctions.
Vehicular pollution and traffic jams are the major factors for increased air pollution.
Idling engines, and very low average speeds result in vehicles emitting more unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
9.30 am to 11 am, and 6 pm to 7.\30 pm, are the worst hours.” Suspended particulate matter is already at 300 micro grams per cubic metre, way over “must not exceed 200” norms. Places like Uppal, Jeedimetla, Shameerpet and Kukatpally have high levels of suspended particulate matter due to industrial activity and heavy vehicular traffic.
It’s a similar grim scenario in cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
Over the past 10 years, temperature in the city increased by 4ºCelsius. The Industries Department has been resolutely uninterested in environmental issues.
Eptri recommendations to the state government, have been ignored.

Sacred groves : Land sharks encroach gods' gardens

U. SUDHAKAR REDDY

Sacred groves which used to grow endangered species of plants in and around temples, dargahs and churches are being plundered by greedy realtors to make a fast buck.
The “Gardens of the Gods” are being ruthlessly uprooted and destroyed. Traditional ‘sacred groves’ at places of worship which used to grow endangered species of plants, are now endangered themselves.
Groves that date back hundreds of years, are vanishing across Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other urban and semi urban areas. With rampant and unauthorised felling of trees, there is no safety in rural areas either. Realtors and land grabbers have moved with their usual well-oiled efficiency to appropriate all the land they can, while a complacent government has not yet got around to notifying the sacred groves as protected areas under the Biodiversity Act. The groves are encroached on and trees cut down to allow for buildings and roads in their place. Sacred groves are gardens, spread across a few acres of land, in and around temples, dargahs and church premises. Several varieties of plants and trees grow here which are also worshipped along with the deities.
There are around 750 listed sacred groves, including six in Hyderabad and 10 in Ranga Reddy. With buildings and other construction work underway, many of these precious groves have already been destroyed.
The Osmania University campus, Nowbath Pahad near Secretariat, the Moula Ali Dargah, Babasharfuddin Pahada near Mir Alam Tank, Guruvayur temple in Lala Bazaar are the sacred groves in the city.
The endowments department silently watches as groves are vanishing before their eyes. Groves situated in private land and around temples owned by individuals and trusts are the worst affected.
Experts warn that the loss of sacred groves outside forest areas is leading to ecological imbalances, depletion of water levels and erosion of lung space.
The sacred grove in the area around the Temple Alwal no longer exists. A new temple was constructed and the grove disappeared as buildings came up around the temple.
According to the AP forest department, the Vaishnava temple is said to be about 2,000 years old and had a very old ficus tree that was listed during the 1996 census.
Mr Vamsi Krishna, the priest of the temple says, “The ficus trees was removed when we constructed the new temple.” The Thumbura Theertham grove in the forest areas of Chittoor is also under threat from red sanders smugglers and poachers. The groves in Pandavulamitta near Peddapurma in East Godavari are impacted by quarrying in the vicinity. The AP forest department environment cell chief conservator of forests, Mr P Raghuveer, said, “Sacred groves are patches of natural vegetation situated mostly around mandirs where people spend some time after their prayers. They are the lungs of towns and villages. Those situated inside reserve forests or notified sanctuaries and national parks are well protected. But many are situated in non-forest lands. Not much has been done on this front, other than in places like Kotappakonda in Guntur which has been converted into an ecopark by the tourist department.” Groves around burial or cremation grounds are also deteriorating.
Mr Raghuveer said, “We have to revive the whole process by giving these sacred groves a special status. They can be protected by notifying them under the Section 37 of the AP Biodiversity Act. Once notified, the sacred groves can’t be destroyed and they will become the property of the community.” Closer to the city, sacred groves can be found at the Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple on the Keesragutta hill. The landmark to look for is the Shamirpet lake.
The Rayalseema region has the maximum number of sacred groves. Kurnool has 107 sacred groves,Chittoor 102 and Kadapa has 66 groves.
Nellore also has 88 sacred groves. The groves provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. AP Biodiversity board chairman, Dr R. Hampaiah says, “These groves have several medicinal plants and herbs collected by locals for daily use.
Nobody was allowed even to collect firewood from the groves. Limited human interference allowed flora and fauna to flourish in these mini ecosystems.
They present the last refuge of endemic species of a geographic region.”

Wanted Sparrow Alive!

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Wanted Sparrow Alive! The campaign to save the house sparrow has picked up in the city with several apartment associations coming forward to create artificial nests.
The initiative taken up by Environmental Cell of AP Forest Department and Centre for Environment Education officials is to spot to the sparrows and create facilities to allow them to breed naturally.
Additional Chief Conservator of Forest(environment cell) Mr C S Ramalakshmi said ,"The sparrow population is declining drastically and it has become a rare occurrence in the city. Sparrows are good for nature as they help in biological control of pests. In residential areas in balconies sparrows can be attracted by placing plastic bowl filled with water and spilling the grains. Later we can enable them to create nests. Several organisations including bird watchers society, biodiversity board and AP Environment Connect are involved,"
A sparrow population survey was conducted recently near Rajbhavan in the city.
Ornithologists and wildlife experts speculate that the population crash could also be linked to a variety of factors like the lack of nesting sites in modern concrete buildings, disappearing kitchen gardens, increased use of pesticides in farmlands and the non- availability of food sources.
Mr U S Ushodayan programme officer of Centre for Environment Education said ,"In urban and semi urban areas sparrows are rarely found. There is no documentation also. Earlier in construction of building ceramic water and sewerage pipes are used. There use to be big gap at the joints which are useful for the sparrows to form the nest. Now only plastic pipes are used and there is no possibility of house sparrow to have a nest,"
"If any one spots the sparrow they can SMS to 9949297898 or send an email to savesparrows.apec@gmail.com or call on our mobile. We will note down the address and location. Then we will conduct survey in the area and create further facilities to improve the sparrow nesting," said Mr Ushodayan.
Decline of house sparrow( scientifically known as Passer domesticus ) is also due to introduction of unleaded petrol, the combustion of which produces compounds such as methyl nitrite, a compound which is highly toxic for small insects.
The other possibility could be increased predation by crows and cats, while crows have grown in number as a result of garbage accumulation in the city.
Noted biologist Mr Mrutyenjaya Rao said ,"we have been doing artificial nesting facility in apartments in Kakinada. We could successfully make sparrows breed in the cardboard boxes set up in the parking area of the apartment,"

Mungari Molaka, wild bulb, a weather indicator ?

Blossomed 21 flowers: Is that an indication of more rains?

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

State is likely to get more rains if the botanical phenomenon has to be believed. Wild grown Mungari Molaka, a bulb resembling Onion, which indicates a copious rainfall depending on the number of flowers it has, this season blossomed with 21 flowers- a rare occurrence. What the weatherman have already indicated is borne out by these floral occurrence says experts.

Mr V B Ramanamurthy of AP Forest Department says ,"the flowering of Mungari Molaka is a bio indicator and the climatic conditions. Usually the flowers are only around six or rarely ten. This year it blossomed 21 flowers. This is a good indicator for the good rains in this season. Meteorological department already said that they are expecting goodrains in the State,"Experts discussed on the Mungari Moloka as indicator of weather pattern recentconference held in Aranya Bhavan how flowering indicates the local climatic conditions. Botanists from Andhra and Hyderabad Central University conducted a detailed study onthe plant. Mungari Molaka blooms from Ugadi to the onset of Monsoon days. Scientifically known as Urginea Indica blossom during pre monsoon showers. Botanistsalso observed that it would lead to heavy rains and floods.Mungari Molaka is a weed reported from Maddikera near Pathikonda in Kurnool district. This plant is not visible during another season. The plant has branched adventitious roots, the stem is an underground flesh bulb and similar to Onion. Experts opined that changes in climate at regional level are more variable and difficult to predict and can be assessed by establishing relationship between phenological events of plants, animals and seasonal weather parameters. Apart from flowering, fruit ripening,appearance of leaves, leaf fall, appearance of fungi and nest building and appearance offrogspwan are the other phenological characters.A senior forest official said ,"there is a need to established phenological workstation formonitoring weather has to be established in the State. Phenology is the study of timingof lifecyle of plants and animals,"Meanwhile, Dr Koppula Hemadri eminent tribal medicine specialist said ,"apart from Urginea Indica two new species of Urginea are found recently.,"He named them Urginea nagarjunae in the name of Acharya Nagarjuna and Urginearaogibikei in the name of the owner of Pragati Resorts,"

Bio piracy: AP's Gooty spider for sale online in US

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The Gooty sapphire ornamental tree spider of the State is for saleon-line. The spider a native of Gooty in Anantapur district is now sold in US, UK andother European countries.Forest department officials said that the spider was stolen from the State and being soldas pets abroad.AP Bio Diversity Board member Secretary Mr V B Ramana Murthy said ,"several on-linepet shopping sites are selling the Gooty spiders and other tarantulas. The metallic blueornamental tree spider they claimed is from Gooty India. It is sold in US extensively.This is nothing but biotheft. We are trying to identify the companies selling them,"The males of the spider are more beautiful with more metallic blue color than females.They feed on moths, cricket insect, grasshoppers.The spiders are kept at pets in the enclosures resembling aquariums without water butwith damp conditions."the spiders are bred there. Adult male spiders are introduced in the females enclosureafter feeding them properly. otherwise the female species will eat away the male. TheGooty spider is difficult to find and very expensive in those markets. As per ourinformation that pet dealers from US imported these specimens form a breeder inEurope. They were taken here from Gooty," said the official of AP Forest department.Dr R Hampaiah of AP Bio Diversity Board said ,"Gooty spider is only the tip of theiceberg. Several of our plants and animals were taken away and being sold. The petmarkets of South East Asia are flooded with our star tortoises,"

Bio Piracy in Andhra: A Big Fight

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The AP government is finally taking the problem of bio-piracy head on. From the traditional thera- pies of Mahanandi village of Kurnool district to nalla pasupu (black turmeric) plant which is being used in HIV/AIDS drug research, it has begun pooling in a massive database of Indian traditional medical knowledge and uplinking the same to the World Intellectual Property Organistion to pre- vent from being stolen and getting patented by private individuals.
Shaking off genera- tions of lethargy and indifference, the government has finally begun the laborious task of compiling a massive database of traditional medical knowledge from across the State.
This data will be up-linked to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), to protect the knowledge from unscrupulous patent grabbers.
The start point is knowledge, that must be captured from wherever it might reside, anywhere in the State. The elders who are the guardians of this precious and neglected wisdom, are not equipped to document and share ancient medical protocols that have been passed down generations largely through wordof-mouth.
In an ambitious and logical initiative, the AP Bio Diversity Board is recording elders knowledgeable about traditional medicine, plants, and treatments. Automatic speech recognition software developed by the Speech Processing Lab of the Language Technology Research Centre in IIITH, helps efficiently convert Telugu speech to Telugu text, and then into English.
Traditional remedies at Mahanandi village in Kurnool district have already been recorded and converted to text documents for up-linking to the WIPO.
Spurred to action after a series of thefts of traditional medical knowledge and bio piracy, the Bio Diversity Board initiated several measures including the formation of Bio Diversity Committees at the village level, to ensure documentation of traditional remedies in local registers.
The legal battle over the alleged bio piracy of bacillus thurengensis used in BT Cotton, continues unabated between the biotech giant Monsanto and the State Government. On another front, the AP Bio Diversity Board has written to the National Bio Diversity Board, demanding action against an NRI doctor who allegedly stole the ‘Vempali’ medicinal plant remedy for diabetes and gangrene, from Nizamabad district and got it patented in the United States.
The AP Bio Diversity Board secretary, Mr Dr V.B.Ramana Murthy, exclaimed, “It’s high time we stop this stealing of patent rights.
Vempali is a traditional Indian plant used for treating several diseases including diabetes at Kamarapally in Nizamabad district. We wrote to the National Board and have issued notices to the agency or the individual who patented it. We will track him down.” Dr Murthy explained the practical necessity of recording (audio and/or video) of village elders in compiling the medical knowledge database. Apart from accurately converting Telegu audio files into English text, the Language Technology Resource Centre of IIITH ensures that the data is available on the web in searchable forms. “When this is uploaded with the WIPO, it will be treated as prior art, and others cannot claim patents on them as the knowledge already exists with us. Dr Ch Sainath Prakash of Kamarapally in Nizamabad shared his bitter personal experience. “I inherited the traditional knowledge of Vempali and other plants from my father.
The leaves, stems and roots are used for the treatment of various diseases. In 2003, an NRI doctor came to me for treatment. After he was cured, he took all the methods and knowledge from me, and paid me Rs 1 crore.
The cheque was not honoured! I complained to the AP Bio Diversity Board, and was horrified to subsequently learn that a patent for this treatment has apparently been registered in the US.” Brushing teeth with a stick of the Vempali plant, while applying gentle pressure on gums, leads to strong gums and teeth. Scientifically known as Tephrosia, it is abundant in Vishakapatnam, Godavari district and Medak, as well as in Kerala.
In another case, the AP Bio Diversity Board tracked down a German who had stolen rare poisonous spiders from Vishakapatnam.
He had used tribals to collect spiders and tarantulas.
“Each spider will fetch between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000.” The board chairman, Mr R. Hampaiah went on to say, “Reports of medicinal plant theft are on rise in the State.This has prompted the Board to crack down on offending corporates and foreign nationals.” Recently, the Vishakapatnam police task force caught a few tribals from Paderu who were trying to smuggle Nalla pasupu (black turmeric). The plant is used in HIV/AIDS drug research.
Nalla pasupu is found at Papikonda hills in East and West Godavari districts and at Paderu in Vishakapatnam. It is on the endangered species list. In the international market, a kilogram of the Nalla pasupu costs Rs 20 lakh. The buyers were paying Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to the tribals for each kilogram. “We have to move quickly on this. There is no time. Already so much is gone on this front.

Mahanaandi from Mahanandi: A Model village

Mahanandi, the temple village located in the Eastern Ghats in Kurnool district, has long been a popular Lord Shiva pilgrimage spot. More recently, the village has been in the spotlight for the path breaking strides taken by its Bio Diversity Committee, in protecting local flora, fauna and traditional medical knowledge.
The energised local committee took Monsanto head on, regarding BT bacterium theft. It has applied for Geographical Indication for the Mahanandi water (curative properties), and it is the first village to document its traditional knowledge, which was subsequently up-linked to ensure Intellectual Property Rights protection.
Mr. G Thimma Reddy, the headman of the village and founder of the Bio Diversity Committee, said, “We are seven members in the Committee. We rallied against Monsanto and demanded they pay royalty.” Ms. B. Varalakshmi a local environmental activist who motivated the villagers says, “The directorate of oilseed research has analysed the black soil here and said that it is full of BT bacteria. The village committee has demanded Rs 73 lakh for 2007 and Rs 1.36 crore for 2008 as royalty, for using the bacteria available in their soils. We were told by the Board that after receiving the notice, Monsanto has agreed for the development of the village and for construction of local schools.” The local committee has resolved that the water is a unique resource of the area, and the Andhra Pradesh Bio Diversity Board is trying to include it in the Geographical Indications Registry. “The water, known as Shiva Ganga, is famous for its crystalline purity and healing qualities,” said Ms Varalakshmi. Following Mahanandi’s example, at least 15 more villages including Veerapuram in Anantapur district, and Kamarapally in Nizamabad, have all formed Bio Diversity Committees. The government is planning to form similar Committees in all villages, across the State. Officials say that the initial focus will be on the Eastern Ghats of Nallamalais as well in parts of Visakapatnam, Badrachalam and Khammam.

Intellectual Property Rights

The lack of under- standing of the legal nuances of Intellectual Property Rights, by the practitioners of the Indian system of medicine is draining traditional knowledge from the country, say legal experts. Foreigners’ access to the biological resources of country should be restricted.
The Nalsar University Professor, Mr. Madabushi Sridhar exasperatedly says, “Indian scientists and government departments roll out a red carpet welcome to foreign scientist and organisations giving them unrestricted access to our biological resources. There is unreasonable exploitation of our resources by the companies based abroad.
They just add to our products taken from here, and make their own patents, setting it up as their invention.
We have to fight against this.” He says, “Traditional knowledge is an intellectual property. It belongs to the community and the nation.
Multi national pharmaceutical companies take these plants and shrubs and by adding insignificant improvements, they get patents.” India has a Knowledge Initiative Agreement with the United States. Under the pretext of research collaboration, their scientists enter our country and gain access to our products and biological resources, he adds. “Take Aloe Vera for instance. It is our product and see how the foreign companies are using it,” said Mr Sridhar.
As per the AP Bio Diversity Act, access to biological resources is controlled by them and bio diversity funds have to be set up.
Unfortunately, the state government has failed to set up the bio diversity funds and no funds are allocated to protect natural resources. A senior IFS official of AP forest department confided, “Funds allocated for protection of biological resources are meager. No politician bothers about this.”

New rules proposed for Fire Crackers

Sudhakar Reddy Udumula

The resounding welcome given to late-night ‘Baraats’ would no longer be possible with the Central government decided to ban bursting of crackers from 10 pm to 6 am as part of the efforts to regulate noise pollution. The draft issued by government is now published out for discussion before it is finalised for implementation.
The district collectors can permit restricted use of loud crackers till midnight on religious or cultural festivals (such as Diwali) but these should not exceed more than 15 days in a calendar year according to the new rules prepared by the ministry of environment.
Even on Diwali the bursting of sound emitting crackers should be stopped by 12 am or authorities can take action.
The Centre has notified the Noise Pollution Regulation and the Control Rules 2009 and has sent them to the State governments.
As per the new rules, blowing of horns at night time in silent zones and residential areas should also be prohibited except during a public emergency.
The decision was taken based on the representations by NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
The government had earlier banned the use of loudspeakers, public address systems, sound producing instrument and musical instruments at night time except if they are played in closed premises like auditoriums, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls or during a public emergency.

28 pesticides banned in Andhra

Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

The state agriculture department has directed all the pesticide manufactures in the state to implement the ban on the use of Monocrotophos on vegetables and a total ban on 28 other pesticides.
The Central Insecticide Board and the Registration Committee has banned 28 pesticide formulations which include Endrin, Calcium Cyanide and Aldrin.
Meanwhile, the department of agriculture said that the certificate of registration of manufacturing of the 28 pesticides has cancelled.
All manufactures of Monochrotophos in the state and the companies from outside the state selling the material here have been directed to sell the product with a caution ‘Banned use on vegetables’ printed on container and leaflets.
The officials have also asked the farmers not to purchase these produces. If any shop or dealer is found selling the products the farmers have been asked to lodge a complain on toll free number 1100 and 1551 and email at comag@ap.nic.in.
The banned list includes: Benzene Hexachloride, Calcium Cyanide, Chlordane, Copper Acetoarseite, Dibromochloropropane, Endrin, Ehtyl Mercury Chloride, Ethyl Parathion, Hoptachlor, Menazone Nitrofen, Paraquat Dimethyl Sulfate, Pentacholor Nitrobenzene, Pentachlorophenol, Sodium Methane Arsonate, Tetradifon, Toxafen and others.

Bio Piracy hits Andhra Forests

By U Sudhakar Reddy
Reports of steal ing medicinal plants are on rise in the state.
This has prompted the AP Bio-diversity Board to crack the whip against companies and foreigners. Recently, the Vishakapatnam task force sleuths caught a few tribals from Paderu who were trying to smuggle Nalla pasupu (black turmeric). The plant is used in HIV/AIDS drug research. Board chairman Dr R. Hampaiah said, “Nalla pasupu is found at Papikonda hills in East & West Godavari districts and at Paderu in Vishakapatnam.
It is in the endangered species list. In the International market, a kilogram of the Nalla pasupu costs Rs 20 lakh. The buyers were paying Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to the tribals for each kg. A retired forester is allegedly helping them.” The plant has been sent for chemical examination, he added. The board is organising a national seminar at Dulapally on August 23 on bio-piracy.

AP: Thermal power plant and SEZs a threat to Bioheritage sites

By U Sudhakar Reddy

Biological her itage sites in the state are facing serious threats because of the upcoming Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and thermal power plants.
Wildlife experts are concerned about the deathblow to the bird preservation sites in the state due to the units.
Sites such as the Naupada swamp, Telineelapuram in Srikakulam, Veerapuram in Anantapur, which are home to pelicans, Kondakarla Ava in Visakhapatnam abode of grey lapping, marsh fin foot, Uppalapadu in Guntur, which is a habitat for migratory birds are likely to be affected.
A thermal power plant at Naupada swamp is seen as biggest threat to the local ecology. Ornithologist Mr K. Mrityenjaya Rao said, “Naupada swamp is the largest in the state. At least 120 species of migratory birds come here. I wrote to the government regarding the ill effects of the plant,” He added, “Naupada swamp is a passage route for migratory birds from Central Asia, East Europe, Himalayas to South India. Pelicans, painted storks, white necked storks, Sarus crane are also frequent visitors.”

The proposed 1,300 MW thermal plant at Polatitippa in the vicinity of Machilipatnam port in Krishna district would be posting threat to Krishna estuary.
The AP Bio Diversity Board also took up the issue of Veerapuram pelican site in Anantapur district as it violated the bio diversity Act. An official of the AP Forest Department said, “The bird site is more than 70-years-old. Villagers have sent petitions to the government. The board had also written to the government.” “Due to the industries in the SEZs, pollution increas es. The surrounding water bodies get contaminated,” said the official.
In Visakhapatnam, Kondakarla Ava, which is a habitat of rare migratory bird and the catchment area of this will be affected due to the proposed economic zone. An SEZ is proposed in Mangalagiri mandal in Guntur district where Uppalapadu bird sanctuary is situated.
Forest officials, wildlife experts and bird watchers have asked the state to conduct environmental assessment before they go ahead with the SEZs.