Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests, Environment, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development K. Pawan Kalyan, on Tuesday, urged the Centre to launch a ‘Clean Godavari’ programme on the lines of the Namami Gange Programme and received positive assurances on a host of environmental, wildlife conservation and rural development initiatives ahead of the next Godavari Pushkarams.

During a series of meetings with Union Ministers in New Delhi, Mr. Pawan Kalyan sought the Centre’s support for the proposed Mission Godavari Clean Project, development of model panchayats, wildlife conservation measures and large-scale afforestation efforts aimed at improving ecological sustainability across Andhra Pradesh.

During his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Mr. Pawan Kalyan stressed the need for a comprehensive river-cleaning programme to deal with the untreated sewage, industrial effluents and solid waste entering the Godavari.

The State government has plans to organise the next Godavari Pushkarams with the theme ‘Swachh Godavari, Pavitra Pushkaralu’. It has submitted a detailed report, seeking Central assistance for pollution control, sewage treatment infrastructure, crowd management and pilgrim amenities. The Union Minister reportedly assured support for measures to restore and protect the river ecosystem.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan also met Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and sought support for the pollution monitoring and conservation initiatives.

The Centre agreed to send a team from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to study pollution levels in the Godavari and recommend remedial measures.

‘Aranyaramam’ Common Facility Centre

The Deputy Chief Minister sought approval for the proposed ‘Aranyaramam’ Common Facility Centre, which will house advanced monitoring and command centres related to wildlife conservation, forest fires and environmental management.

The Centre responded positively to Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to increase the number of base camps in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve from 90 to 150, a move expected to create opportunities for the local Chenchu youth.

Among the major wildlife initiatives discussed were plans to bring 50 Indian Gaurs from Madhya Pradesh and six female tigers from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to strengthen biodiversity and address ecological imbalances. The State also sought trained kumki elephants from Odisha to help manage human-elephant conflicts in Parvathipuram-Manyam district.

Model panchayats along Godavari

Later, in a meeting with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Mr. Pawan Kalyan was assured of support to develop 260 model panchayats along the Godavari under the Viksit Bharat–Gram Gaurav programme. The initiative will focus on sanitation, drainage and wastewater management to ensure pollution-free Pushkaram celebrations while strengthening rural infrastructure across the region.