Ahead of Pushkaralu, Centre Backs AP’s Mission to Clean Godavari

In a significant boost to Andhra Pradesh’s environmental agenda ahead of the next Godavari Pushkaralu , the Union Government has extended its support to the State’s ambitious Mission Godavari Clean initiative. The project aims to protect the Godavari from growing municipal and industrial pollution while restoring the ecological health of one of India’s most sacred rivers.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan following his meeting with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi. During the meeting, Pawan Kalyan presented eight key proposals related to environmental protection, wildlife conservation and forest development in Andhra Pradesh. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the Centre responded positively to all the proposals.

A major outcome of the discussions was the Centre’s decision to facilitate a scientific assessment of pollution in the Godavari. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will send an expert team to Andhra Pradesh to study pollution sources and recommend measures for river rejuvenation. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring cleaner river waters before millions of devotees arrive for future Pushkar celebrations.

The Centre also agreed to support Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to strengthen wildlife conservation. As part of a biodiversity restoration programme, 50 wild buffaloes will be brought from Madhya Pradesh to re-establish populations that have disappeared from parts of the State’s forest landscape. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has reportedly agreed to facilitate the transfer during September and October.

In another important development, Andhra Pradesh has proposed bringing six female tigers from neighbouring states to improve genetic diversity among tiger populations. Four tigers are expected from Maharashtra, while two will be sourced from Madhya Pradesh, helping strengthen conservation efforts across protected forest areas.

The Centre has further approved funding to expand infrastructure in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve , one of India’s largest tiger habitats. The number of forest base camps will be increased from 90 to 150, creating employment opportunities for nearly 300 Chenchu tribal youth , who will be engaged as forest guards and provided with two-wheelers for field operations.

Another key proposal that received support is the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh , an ambitious ecological project designed to protect the State’s 1,050-km coastline from cyclones and climate-related threats. The initiative is expected to receive assistance under the Centre’s MISHTI programme , which promotes mangrove restoration and coastal resilience.

The Union Government also responded favourably to Andhra Pradesh’s request for trained Kumki elephants from Odisha to help manage increasing incidents of human-elephant conflict in Chittoor and Parvathipuram Manyam districts.

Pawan Kalyan also thanked the Centre for approving the proposed Aranyaramam (Aranyam Bhavan) facility, which will house advanced units for forest fire monitoring, tiger surveillance, wildlife management and human-animal conflict mitigation.

Describing Mission Godavari Clean as a transformative environmental mission, the Deputy Chief Minister said the State would soon seek support from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to further strengthen river conservation efforts and ensure the long-term success of the project.