Ensure devotees going to Srisailam via forest route do not face any disruptions: CM directs officials

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. file
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials of the Forest department to ensure that devotees traveling to the Srisailam temple via the forest route do not face any difficulties. He also instructed the department to fully cooperate in road repairs within forest areas.

During a review meeting with ministers and secretaries at the State Secretariat on Tuesday (February 11), Special Chief Secretary of the Forest department G. Ananta Ramu presented a report on the department’s progress till January this financial year and the action plan for the remaining two months.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy brought to Mr. Naidu’s  attention that many Shaiva pilgrimage sites are located within forest areas and that devotees traveling to these temples are facing inconveniences due to Forest department regulations. Taking serious note of the issue, the Chief Minister ordered immediate instructions to field-level officials to prevent any disruptions for devotees.

Mr. Naidu also emphasised the need for expanding greenery to transform Andhra Pradesh into a pollution-free State. He urged the Municipal and Urban Development departments to adopt the best practices implemented by other States for pollution control. He further instructed the Forest department to utilize NREGS funds for large-scale contour trench construction in forest areas.

The Chief Minister noted that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is actively working on bringing Kumki elephants from Karnataka to address the elephant menace in certain parts of the State. He directed officials to expedite this process with full cooperation.