This is happening in violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 clearing large areas of forest and cashew  plantations belonging to tribals who live around the 3 well forested hills viz., Nagalla konda, Samalamma konda and Kooti konda in the Chodavaram forest range. These hills are home to a species of cycas pant (endemic to this area) and also many species of wildlife that include Leopard, Sloth bear, Malabar Pied Hornbill, King Cobra, Pangolin, Barking deer etc.