BARC seeks forest land diversion for new research campus in Andhra Pradesh

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has sought additional land in Andhra Pradesh to expand its research and development facilities, with plans to extend its campus in Anakapalli district along the east coast near Visakhapatnam.

According to sources in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, BARC has approached the Andhra Pradesh government for the diversion of 148.15 hectares, or about 366 acres, of forest land for the proposed expansion. The overall campus is planned across nearly 3,000 acres.

The proposal was examined earlier this month by an Expert Appraisal Committee under the ministry, which has recommended granting in-principle approval for diverting the forest land.

In its meeting minutes, the committee highlighted, “Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is setting up a new campus on the east coast near Visakhapatnam for strategic reasons. The selection of the site was based on recommendations from the Site Selection Committee and approved by the Atomic Energy Commission.”

More than 1,200 hectares of revenue land have already been acquired for the project. The forest land identified for diversion lies adjacent to the acquired parcel and is located between the proposed campus and the sea, the committee said.

The project has been described as a strategic initiative of the central government, and officials said the Detailed Project Report is not available for public disclosure.

As per the proposal, construction activities will include a perimeter compound wall, zonal security fencing, patrolling roads, a pump house, watch towers, drainage systems, service lines, and area development works, although specific operational details have not been outlined.

The diversion will require the felling of 1,722 trees out of a total of 21,244 in the area. Trees located close to the coastline will not be cut, and the committee said the proposed activity is not expected to adversely affect the broader ecosystem.

“This center will contribute to nation-building by conducting research in the nuclear field with applications in energy security, health, agriculture, water, and other strategic areas as mandated by the center,” the committee said.

A senior forest department official said BARC had formally requested land allotment from the state government for expansion and that the forest land was allocated after detailed scrutiny.

The committee also specified that no future land-use change for non-site-specific activities would be allowed on the diverted forest land.