Officials have been instructed by Joint Collector Shubham Bansal to create a master plan for the development of the eco-sensitive area at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. “The government has designated a two-kilometer radius around Nela-pattu Bird Sanctuary, located in Doravari Satram mandal, as an eco-sensitive zone,” he said during a review meeting on Wednesday.

Bansal emphasized that although mining and permanent building are absolutely forbidden, tourism, agriculture, horticulture, and fishing must all be regulated inside the zone. He gave authorities instructions to provide scientific maps as soon as possible that included information on the socioeconomic circumstances, way of life, and activities of the area. With input from all pertinent departments, the Master Plan will be produced in partnership with the Centre for Environment and Development (CED). Akkarapaka, Mailangam, Mutchalagunta, Nelaballi, Nelluru Palli, Vengamamba Pu-ram, Ekolu, and Nelapattu are among the villages that are included in the eco-sensitive zone.

The plan will specify what may and cannot be done, as well as steps to support sustainable livelihoods in agriculture, tourism, and fishing. Harika, the Wildlife Management Officer and DFO for Sullurupeta Division, emphasized the significance of the master plan in safeguarding the biodiversity of the sanctuary.

DRDA PD TN Sobhan Babu, FRO Soujanya, Animal Husbandry Officer Ravi Kumar, Fisheries Officer Nagaraju, Horticulture Officer Dasharatha Rami Reddy, CED Regional Director Jayachandra, CED Program Director TR Vinod, Additional DFO Nagabhushan, and others were in attendance.