VIJAYAWADA: Development which threatens one’s very existence is not needed and only that which respects one’s culture, heritage, tradition and sentiments is welcome, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has said. Interacting with tribal youth in Araku of Visakhapatnam district on Monday, as a part of his Porata Yatra, Pawan Kalyan said that people living close to nature have no deception in their thinking. “If today, forest area is surviving in the state, it is all due to the tribals,” he added.
Discussing the problems and difficulties being faced by the tribals, Kalyan said those attuned to nature — tribal communities, are not selfish. He said mining is required for development, but, conditions like where, how and to what extent, have to be considered for tribal welfare and conservation of environment. “Even if we dug in the backyard of Chief Minister’s residence, some minerals can be found. I am not here to instigate tribals or seek political mileage.
I am here to understand their plight and champion their cause. I am here to fight for their rights,” he said. On the issue of bauxite mining, Pawan Kalyan said the government can only take it up when 70 per cent of the tribals agree. He cautioned the government from removing tribals from forests and said it will only lead to disturbances in the state.
He advised the policy makers to first visit the tribals and understand their plight instead of drafting policies sitting in Air Conditioned rooms. He said, when he had only reminded the TDP Government about its election promise of including fishermen among STs, tribals were instigated against him. CM Chandrababu Naidu’s 40 years’ experience is only used for creating friction among different castes, he accused.