Dravidian University in Kuppam faces backlash for selling trees, sparking environmental concerns
Srinivasavanam project
The campus is known for its lush greenery and panoramic view of hillocks surrounded by dense woods. The Srinivasavanam project, a unique initiative sponsored by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), is credited with the success of the greenery story on the campus for more than a decade. The green and healthy trees are now being chopped down and disposed to private parties at cheaper rates ₹3,000 per tonne, as against ₹5,000 per tonne five years ago. Since April, the drive is said to have generated a revenue of ₹7 lakh this way.
A senior official of the university defended the move, saying that a severe financial crunch along with poor financial support from the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala prompted the university administration to resort to felling of trees, at least to generate minimum funds. The official maintained that funds meant for the maintenance of greenery on the campus, ₹50 lakh per annum from the TTD, are now being used to meet the escalating electricity bills. On the flip side, the university officials are said to have used a partial amount from the proceeds of tree felling to purchase two vehicles to manage campus upkeep.
Nature lovers cry foul
Nature lovers and local youth of Kuppam, who are accustomed to frequenting the panoramic landscapes in and around the university, deplored that the felling of healthy trees is a brazen act of ecological rupture. A revenue official in Kuppam said that though efforts were made to dissuade the university management from stopping the felling of trees, no concrete measures have been initiated to stop the destruction.
A couple of NGOs in Chittoor district said that they would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has been the MLA of Kuppam since 1989, and demand a high-level inquiry into the environmental damage on the university campus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
‘Stree Shakti' benefits 47 lakh women in four days in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: The Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme launched by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has witnessed a strong response, with nearly 47 lakh women availing the facility in just four days. On Monday alone, over 18 lakh women travelled on zero-fare tickets, saving more than Rs 7 crore. So far, the scheme has generated collective savings of nearly Rs 19 crore for women passengers. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress with APSRTC officials at the Secretariat on Monday, approving its extension to buses operating on ghat routes. He directed that women may use either a physical or digital Aadhaar card for verification and suggested installing clear signboards on buses for easy identification. Officials said women have expressed delight at the savings, terming the initiative a game-changer. The government has stressed smooth implementation to sustain the scheme's impact and reach women even in remote areas.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
TTD begins renovation of Talakona Siddeswara Swamy temple
Tirupati: Towards preserving heritage temples, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated the renovation of the historic Sri Siddeswara Swamy temple at Talakona in Yerravaripalem mandal. The Bhoomi Puja for the first phase of works, estimated at Rs 19 crore, was performed on Monday in the presence of TTD Trust Board Chairman BR Naidu, District Collector Dr S Venkateswar, and Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that, under the guidance of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the State government and TTD are prioritising the reconstruction of ancient temples as part of the promotion of Sanatana Dharma. 'I have often heard of Talakona's spiritual significance, and now, seeing it in person, I feel this renovation will add immense value for devotees,' he said. The first phase of works will cover the Garbhalayam (sanctum sanctorum) of Sri Siddeswara Swamy, the Ardha Mandapam, Sri Parvati Devi Garbhalayam, and the Maha Mandapam. TTD has already sanctioned Rs 2 crore for these works, with the State government's approval. 'Further financial support will be released in phases for subsequent development,' Naidu assured. In the later stages, TTD plans to develop the Mukha Mandapam, Nandi Mandapam, Raja Gopuram, Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Navagraha Mandapam, Sri Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Dhwaja Mandapam, office rooms, storerooms, Potu, Kalyana Katta, Pushkarini and other facilities. District Collector Dr Venkateswar said efforts are being made to complete the renovation before the upcoming Maha Sivaratri festival. He thanked TTD for sanctioning the necessary funds for the project. MLA Pulivarthi Nani recalled that the temple, believed to date back to the 15th century, remained neglected due to its remote location. 'Though some donors had helped construct gopurams, the local people have long sought proper development. Now, with TTD's support, that dream is finally becoming a reality,' he said. TTD Board Member V Santha Ram, Chief Engineer Satyanarayana, SE Manoharam, EE Jaganmohan Reddy, temple Executive Officer Ravindra Raju, local representatives and several devotees participated in the programme.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Will Radhakrishnan be the game-changer for BJP?
After intense speculation over the potential candidate of NDA over the past few weeks after the sudden exit of the incumbent Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, the name of C P Radhakrishnan, presently Governor of Maharashtra has been officially announced. While his ascension to the vacant slot is almost certain, what is interesting is in how the BJP has moved in once again to focus its attention on the southern state of Tamil Nadu, albeit treading a different route and employing a new strategy. While the obvious answer is that it is eyeing the impending Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in the coming summer, the known-unknown is why a relatively low-profile Radhakrishnan has been selected to hold the Vice-President post. As far as credentials go, the media has already sketched profiles of the impending V-P tracing his roots from Jan Sangh days to how over the years he has been a silent, efficient and effective party man for BJP despite the party itself failing to create a significant impact in the Dravidian heartland. Firstly, over the past few years, in Chennai, call it Delhi's daring gambit or ineffective posturing, the party headquarters had reposed its faith on a set of newcomers, defectors and a few who came in from apolitical backgrounds (read Annamalai) to lead the state unit. Barring manufactured hype and a feel good among the English-speaking media moguls, none of them managed to create a lasting impact to deliver what the saffron party bosses expected, some thing which they managed in erstwhile hostile terrains across the country, smashing rivals who had held power for long in their respective domains. In the case of C P Radhakrishnan, he has had a direct hotline to Delhi over the years as he has been MP from Coimbatore twice, during the Vajpayee era, when he was a very valued leader for the previous BJP bosses. Very notably, he has had a working relationship with the DMK hierarchy, from its illustrious M Karunanidhi to the current Chief Minister, M K Stalin. Known for his quiet, effective networking, consensual and amiable nature leading to mutually acceptable solutions, Radhakrishnan is the perfect antidote to the recent set of leaders, who had ruffled feathers of the local Dravidian parties and threatened to go alone, to very unimpressive outcomes at the hustings twice in the recent past. Importantly, with caste being a very important deciding factor, the OBC leader who hails from the Gounder community (like ex- CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palani Swamy and Annamalai) is considered to be the appropriate placement. If it is an attempt to mollify the BJP supporters of the community who were sad to see Annamalai being replaced, then one can assume the box would be ticked. It also means the old guard of the BJP which had done all the hard work over decades to reposition the party among the new voters would feel elated as one of their own is now at a position of eminence in Delhi, having the eyes and ears of the top leaders. While it can be argued that the post of Vice-President is constitutional and free from party bias, the ripple effect of this prospective appointment, one may assume, would be too obvious to be ignored. Already, with the Centre-appointed Governors continuously under attack of acting like agents of the Centre, without attracting such criticisms, the likely new Vice-President may, with his appointment, enable BJP to quietly work behind the scenes to take another serious attempt to wrest power in 2026.
