NOTE ON SALIENT FEATURES OF THE ANDHRA PRADESH WATER, LAND AND TREES ACT-2002.

          Andhra Pradesh is known as a River State, but recurring drought and expanding demands have resulted in a very disturbing water scenario. Inefficient use of surface water in canal commands is resulting in wastage of water, water logging and soil Stalinization of productive and barren lands. Indiscriminate use of ground water on the other hand is causing water stress in non-canal commands.

        The government of AP promulgated the Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act-2002 to promote water conservation, Tree cover and regulate the exploitation and use of ground and surface water for protection and conservation of water sources, land and environment in the entire state. The Act came into force with effect from 19-04-2002.

       APWALTA - Authority was constituted vide GO.Ms No. 240, PR & RD Dept., dated 25-06-2002. For effectively implementing the Act, provision was made in GOMs No. 244, PR & RD Dept., dated 26-06-2002for the constitution of subsidiary Authorities at District and Mandal levels.

       For effective implementation of APWALTA-2002, the government, through GOMs No. 47, PR & RD Dept., dated 03-03-2003, took some important decisions and designated the following departments as implementing agencies

• Fee for registering a Rig for 2 years is Rs. 1,000/-
• Fee for granting permission for digging a new well is Rs. 100/-
• Fee for felling a tree in urban residential and industrial areas is Rs. 50/-
• Fee for felling a tree in urban commercial areas is Rs. 100/-

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