Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
According to sources in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the premier multidisciplinary nuclear research center has approached the Andhra Pradesh government for diversion of 148.15 hectares (0.366 acres) of land for the new campus.
An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the ministry examined the proposal earlier this month and first recommended it for ‘in-principle’ approval for diversion of the land parcel.
“The Bhabha Atomic Research Center is setting up a new campus on the east coast near Visakhapatnam for strategic reasons. The selection of the site was based on the recommendations of the Site Selection Committee and was approved by the Atomic Energy Commission,” the EAC said in the minutes of the meeting.
Over 1,200 hectares (about 3,000 acres) of revenue land has already been acquired for the project. The EAC said that 148.15 hectares of forest land proposed for diversion is adjacent to this acquired land and is located between the project site and the sea.
The project is a strategic initiative of the Central Government, and hence, the detailed project report is protected from disclosure.
The proposal includes construction of a perimeter compound wall, territorial security fence, patrol roads, a pump house, watch towers, drains, service lines and area development works, according to the minutes, without specifying the nature of the activity.
Of the 21,244 trees on the land, 1,722 will be cut. However, those located in areas close to the sea will not be cut down and the EAC said this will not affect the general ecosystem.
“This center will contribute to nation building by conducting research in the nuclear sector with applications in energy security, health, agriculture, water and other strategic areas as mandated by the Centre,” the EAC said.
The EAC, while recommending the proposal for approval, said that no land-use change for non-site-specific activities will be allowed on the diverted land in future.