5.1.5 Restoration Potential

The sanctuary has withstood the onslaughts of several development (industrial, agriculture, and irrigation) projects in the past. The following are just the few of the developments which have taken place within the Sanctuary area.

1. Srisailam Hydro Electric Project.

2. Nagarjunasagar, Multipurpose Project.

3. Varadarajaswamy Gudi Project (Medium irrigation).

4. Srisailam Left Canal Head Regulator Scheme.

5. Left Canal Lift Irrigation Scheme.

6. K.V. Line and Telephone Lines.

Encroachment for agriculture, grazing, unregulated quarrying, fuel wood collection and pollution of water sources have lead to lowered restoration potential of the area. Conversion of forest area for non-forest purposes (Cement companies, quarries, APSEB, NTPC, irrigation schemes, roads, rail route and pipelines) have already taken 28397 ha. of forest in Guntur division and 20435 ha. of forest in Nalgonda division. The failures of restoring the potential of the habitats is further compounded by the reduction in actual habitat area by way of diversion of forest habitats for non-forest use. The proposal of establishing a Nuclear Power Station on the periphery of the wildlife habitat would only result in further decline of the restorative potential to a state that would be against the basic conservation objectives that led to the establishment of the NSTR and would also undermine all conservation and management efforts in the Tiger Reserve.