Government’s Temporary Diversion: Uranium Exploration in Andhra Pradesh Not Permanently Halted

Despite recent claims by the Andhra Pradesh government regarding the halt of uranium exploration in the Kappatralla Reserve Forest, concerns persist over the lack of a permanent resolution. While Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s government has announced the cancellation of proposals to the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), fresh proposals for uranium assessment are reportedly in the pipeline. Critics argue that this is merely a temporary diversion to quell public outrage, rather than a decisive action to prevent future mining attempts.
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has strongly urged the state government to pass a clear and unambiguous resolution in the Assembly, assuring that no attempts will be made to survey or explore uranium reserves in Kurnool’s Kappatralla forest. The HRF insists that the government’s current stance—halting exploration “until further orders”—is merely a stopgap measure, leaving the door open for future mining operations.
Public resistance to uranium mining in the region has been mounting, primarily due to environmental and health concerns. Local communities fear the contamination of groundwater, destruction of farmland, and severe health implications associated with uranium mining, including congenital deformities and chronic illnesses. The HRF, after visiting the affected areas on February 2, noted that AMD had already drilled 20 borewells in the forest in 2017 without transparency or public knowledge. Further, it has been revealed that AMD is preparing fresh proposals to drill 68 more borewells, raising alarm among environmental activists and local residents.
The HRF has emphasized that uranium mining poses irreversible risks to both human life and the environment. The radioactive residues from mining can remain hazardous for thousands of years, causing long-term damage to ecosystems and communities. The organization has urged the state government to take a firm stand by permanently halting all exploration activities. They further recommend that government officials visit uranium mining sites such as Jaduguda in Jharkhand to witness firsthand the devastating consequences of such activities.
Critics argue that rather than investing in dangerous nuclear energy sources, the government should focus on expanding sustainable and renewable energy initiatives, such as solar and wind power. Until a formal resolution is passed in the Assembly explicitly banning uranium exploration in Andhra Pradesh, activists and residents remain skeptical of the government’s true intentions.