Chenchus are an Adivasi community (Scheduled Tribe) living in the Nallamalla forest in AP (among other places). Traditionally, a hunter-gatherer community, they live in close to 137 hamlets through the greenery. “After the in-principle clearance granted for uranium exploration (by the central government) in the tiger reserve, the Chenchus fear re-location and have become more protective of their forest,” Y Ballaya, general secretary, struggle committee against uranium mining, told The Times of India.
Dear Comrade actor Vijay Deverakonda has thrown his weight behind the protestors to support #SaveNallamala. The actor tweeted a strong message today. “We have destroyed our lakes, flooded our states, caused droughts in other states, polluted most of our drinking water sources…” he said in his message and asked, “We can buy uranium. Can we buy a forest?”
#SaveNallamala pic.twitter.com/zGEe8fVk6N
— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) September 12, 2019
Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party has also extended its support to the campaign. Congress leader Hanumatha Rao met Pawan Kalyan recently to discuss the issue as well.
JSP will extend its support for #savenallamalla
భావి తరాలకి, బంగారు తెలంగాణ ఇస్తామా? యురేనియం కాలుష్యం తెలంగాణ ఇస్తామా? అన్నది అన్ని ప్రజా సంఘాలు , రాజకీయ పక్షాలు ఆలోచించాలి?— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) September 11, 2019
“The people of two Telugu states will be affected because of uranium mining and Krishna waters will get polluted. If pregnant women drink the polluted water, there is a major threat that looms large. Many people belonging to the Chenchu tribe have already brought the issue to JSP’s notice,” Pawan Kalyan told The Newsminute.
It remains to be seen if any of the many stars who participated in the photo-op “Cauvery Calling” campaign with Isha Foundation’s Jaggi Vasudev will support the Chenchus in protecting their habitat.
