The State Wildlife Board (SWB) today decided to recommend to the National Wildlife Board diversion of 0.55 hectares of forest land in Tirumala Reserve Forest of Sri Venkateshwara Wildlife Sanctuary for laying of additional pipeline from Papavinasanam Dam to Forest Checkpost, Tirumala by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for drinking water purpose of the pilgrims at Tirumala hills. The decision was taken at the 5th State Wildlife Board met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at Secretariat here, an official release here said. The proposals in this regard were received from the Executive Officer, TTD, Tirupathi for laying of additional water supply Pipe line from papavinasanam Dam to Forest Check Post, Tirumala within the area permitted to lay 500 mm dia pipe line. The proposed line runs parallel to the already laid two pipelines. The additional pipeline was needed to cater the needs of the pilgrims who visit Tirumala, as the influx of the pilgrims is increasing year after year and in the last five years the water consumption at Tirumala has increased from 25 lakhs gallons per day to 32 lakh gallons per day. UNI
