Andhra Pradesh may de-notify 16000 acres of forest land in West Godavari

DWARAKATIRUMALA: Andhra Pradesh government is considering to de-notify 16,000 acres of forest land in West Godavari district to allocate it for industries as farmers are not willing to part with their land.

"The growth of economy depends on industrial development which ultimately needs land but our farmers are reluctant to relinquish their land."

"In such a critical situation, the government is now considering to denotify forest land which will ultimately be allocated for industries. We are considering to de-notify 16000 acres of forest land in West Godavari district," Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said after attending a function here.

He said the government is mulling setting up of aqua university in West Godavari where fish and prawns farming is a major economic activity.

Underling the significance of linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers, the CM said "the state would be free of drought after utilisation of Godavari water by all regions, particularly the Rayalaseema region".

Earlier, he visited Sri Venkateswara Swami temple and offered prayers.