Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forest, Science and Technology K. Pawan Kalyan on Thursday performed bhumi puja for the permanent buildings of the Andhra Pradesh State Forest Academy (APSFA) at Diwancheruvu Reserve Forest (DRF), near Rajamahendravaram.
Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had given its nod to use a six-acre reserve forest area for the construction of the academy. The academy was now being run at the Regional Forest Research Centre (RFRC) in Rajamahendravaram.
The State government had given administrative sanction for ₹15 crore for the permanent buildings of the academy. The estimated cost of the project was ₹30 crore, an official release said.
Addressing a gathering of forest officials, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the academy would play a greater role in achieving the forest cover targets and conservation.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shanti Priya Pandey, Additional PCCF (CAMPA) Rahul Pandey, Chief Conservator of Forest B.N.N. Murthy, and APSFA Director B. Vijaya Kumar were present.