Kakinada, 18 April 2020
Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced a scheme ―Pedalandariki Illu – ―Houses for all‖. Everyone welcomed it including National Association of Fishermen. In Kakinada this scheme is implemented by destroying the Mangrove forest which are the real treasures of our country. Clearing this mangrove forest for the construction of houses will lead to a huge loss for the livelihood of fishermen and also it affects the Bio-Diversity. These Mangroves protects the coast from cyclones and Tsunamis by acting as a protection barrier to the city of Kakinada. Since these Mangroves are identified as treasures and shelter for fish, shrimp and crab breeding apart from protecting the coast from tidal waves and these are specifically protected under National Bio-Diversity Act 2002. It is quite unfortunate
that Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to take away these Mangroves of Fishermen for allocating the houses for the poor. Due to the implementation of the scheme 100 acres of mangrove forest gets affected.
We wish to bring to the notice of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, diverting the mangroves comes under violation of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and National Bio-Diversity Act 2002 which are intended to provide protection mangroves to preserve the ecosystems.
Further, we wish to bring to your notice that Supreme Court specifically mentioned about protection of Mangroves in the case of S. Jagannath vs Union Of India & Ors on 11 December, 1996 and in the Case of Krishnadevi Malchand Kamathia & … vs Bombay Enviornmental Action … on 31 January, 2011 Showing the contexts in which the Hon’ble Supreme Court said to stop dumping rubble and remove the rubble dumped further ordered to ensure free and natural flow of sea water to ensure that mangroves are not damaged.
So we kindly request the Government of AndhraPradesh to implement the project in new location without affecting the Environment.
