Date:13/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/13/stories/2005051312210500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Ban on use of wood in biomass power projects urged

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation director, Naidu Prakash, has urged the Government to immediately ban the use of wood in biomass power projects by issuing an order.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Naidu said many biomass power plants in the State were using wood when such units were supposed to use agro waste such as bagasse, husk and cotton crop waste.

He said 37 biomass plants were set up in the State and they were allegedly consuming at least 10,000 tonnes of wood every day.

The 14 bagasse based co-generation projects were using wood against usage of bagasse.

Supreme Court directive

The Supreme Court had passed a direction stating that no State Government should permit opening of any sawmill, veneer or plywood industry without prior permission of the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC).

However, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department had issued 1,045 licences to wood-based industries in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts alone without obtaining the mandatory CEC permission.

Another 500 such units could be functioning in other districts.