More than 500 acres of mangroves are being cut down (photos attached) in Godavari River estuary near Gogulmattam in the district of East Godavari ostensibly for construction of hatcheries or food processing units.
It is well known that mangroves serve as a protective shield against cyclones and coastal erosion. They also serve as nurseries for fish and reduce pollution load besides contributing in carbon sequestration and oxygen generation. These contributions have been officially recognised by the Government and there are statutory prohibitions on cutting down of mangroves that include the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification issued under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
It is also evident from the scale of operation that the miscreants have direct connection with the Police and Administrative authorities without whose consent this kind of massive destruction could not go on for weeks together.
The National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (NPSSFW) and the Democratic Traditional Fishers Workers Forum (DTFWF) of Andhra Pradesh have written protest letters (copies attached) to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chairman of the State Coastal Zone Management Authority of Andhra Pradesh, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Collector of East Godavari District to take immediate and effective steps to stop the destruction of mangroves and book the culprits including the government officials responsible for connivance.
As a part of the campaign to protect mangroves and build up peoples’ disapproval against the miscreants the local fishing community activists have prepared printed posters (copies attached) to be fixed on the door of every fisher household.