Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) plans to set up a new research and development campus spread over 3000 acres in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh.
A leading multidisciplinary nuclear research organization has approached the Andhra Pradesh government seeking approval to divert 148.15 hectares (0.366 acres) of land for the new project, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the ministry reviewed the proposal earlier this month and recommended it for “in-principle” approval, allowing the first plot of land to be diverted for the new campus.
“Bhabha Atomic Research Center is setting up a new campus on the east coast near Visakhapatnam for strategic reasons. The site selection was based on the recommendations of the site selection committee and approved by the Atomic Energy Commission,” the EAC told PTI.
How much land has already been allocated for the project?
More than 1,200 hectares (around 3,000 acres) of revenue land has already been acquired for the BARC project. The 148.15 hectares of forest land proposed for diversion lies adjacent to this acquired area, between the project site and the coast, the EAC added.
As it is a strategic initiative of the central government, the detailed project report (DPR) for the campus is confidential and not available for publication, PTI reported.
What is the project about?
The proposal, according to the EAC, includes the construction of a perimeter compound wall, zonal security fencing, patrol roads, a petrol station, guard towers, sewers, service lines and area development works, although the specific nature of the activities has not been detailed.
Up to 1,722 of the 21,244 trees on the property will be cut down. However, those located in areas close to the sea will not be cut and the EAC said that this scale of deforestation will not affect the general ecosystem.
“This center will contribute to nation building by conducting research in the nuclear field with applications in energy security, health, agriculture, water and other strategic areas as mandated by the centre,” the EAC said.
The EAC also emphasized that no land use changes would be allowed in the diverted forest area for activities not directly related to the project and recommended the proposal for approval.
