The Andhra Pradesh government faced yet another hurdle in its bid to build a new state capital Amaravati, after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change reportedly turned down the state's proposal to use about 13,000 hectares of forest land for construction projects.
Stating that this is the second time this year that the FAC has turned down the proposal, the Times of India reported that the FAC also asked the Andhra government about its plan to compensate the loss of greenery.
The report adds:
The government last year sought clearance for diversion of 13,267.12 hectares. It submitted a revised proposal on April 25 this year. The FAC took up the case on July 12 and turned down the proposal. The government sought exemption from submission of land use pattern. However, the FAC insisted that submission of land use pattern was important...sources said the FAC wanted to know how much of the 13,000 and odd hectares of land would be utilized for the greenfield capital city of Amaravati.
This is not the first hurdle for the state as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already directed a stay order on the bulldozing of trees in the entire region and is hearing two PILs against the construction of the capital.
Meanwhile, a report by property consultant Knight Frank India said on Wednesday that Amaravati has the potential to become a world-class city and will usher in a new era of real estate development within the AP Capital Region and in the state.
"The strategic location of Amaravati and proposed infrastructure developments will ensure Amaravati becomes a world-class city and influence zone," the report read.