NGT to study mangrove damage in Kakinada

Panel asked to look into remedial measures, petitioner wants polluter to pay

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), southern zone, has appointed a joint committee to ascertain the state of affairs in the mangroves at Kakinada, opposite the AP Maritime Board office. The NGT said the committee would inspect the area in question and submit a factual as well as action taken report. The committee should submit its report on or before October 13 by e-filing to the NGT.

The committee would comprise a senior officer from the regional office of the Union environment, forest and climate change ministry, Chennai, a senior officer from the AP Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA), a senior officer not below the rank of chief conservator of forest to be designated by the principal chief conservator of forest, Andhra Pradesh, and a divisional forest officer from the Coringa wildlife sanctuary.

If there is any violation found, including assessment of environmental compensation, it will recommend remedial measures to be taken to restore the damage caused to the environment.

Retired IAS officer E.A.S. Sarma and had others filed a petition before the NGT against the Centre and others, alleging that the GMR/ECPL plant, opposite the offices of the Coast Guard and the AP Maritime Board, despite specific conditions in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances and environmental clearance conditions that dredged materials should not be dumped near the mangroves and mudflats, were continuing to dump the materials there.

Sarma said they are also constructing a bund which is likely to prevent the inflow of seawater towards the mangroves which will affect the very existence of the mangroves. Destruction to mudflats will have a great impact on micro flora and fauna and other organisms.

The mudflats are very large in size around Kumbhabhishekam temple, including the seventh berth of the port and its surroundings, and it is also within the vicinity of the Coringa wildlife sanctuary.

Sarma appealed to the NGT to direct the government and the respondents to restore the area to its original condition by removing the bund in order to clear the dredging spoils and conserve rest of the habitat. He said the ‘polluter pays’ principle must be applied in this case.