The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated a suo motu case based on a report highlighting the alarming degradation of mangroves in Visakhapatnam due to rapid urbanization and industrial growth. The report, published in June 2024, shed light on how once-vast mangrove ecosystems in the city have dwindled to isolated patches, severely threatened by developmental activities.
In response, the NGT’s Principal Bench in Delhi issued notices to key authorities, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, the Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA), and the District Magistrate of Visakhapatnam, seeking explanations for potential violations of environmental laws such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules, 1991.
To address the issue, the Visakhapatnam District Collector convened a committee on August 14, 2024, comprising officials from the Forest, Revenue, Fisheries, Irrigation, and Pollution Control departments, as well as representatives from GVMC and VMRDA. A joint survey conducted later in August identified key problems, including debris dumping and coal storage near critical mangrove zones, particularly at the Meghadrigedda drain and Gosthani river mouth near Bheemili.
The committee proposed several restoration measures, including reforestation, removal of invasive species like Prosopis juliflora, and community collaboration for conservation. It also suggested stricter regulations on urban and industrial activities, establishment of buffer zones, and awareness programs about the ecological significance of mangroves.
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) was advised to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The committee requested the NGT to mandate the implementation of these recommendations by relevant authorities.
During a hearing on November 27, the NGT’s Southern Bench directed the inclusion of the VPA chairperson as a respondent, noting the absence of detailed reports on the extent of mangrove destruction. The tribunal has sought a comprehensive assessment of the damage, along with restoration measures and cost estimates, to be submitted before the next hearing on January 31, 2025.
This action underscores the growing concern over mangrove conservation and the urgent need to balance development with environmental sustainability.
