National Green Tribunal takes action on the decline of mangrove forests in Vizag
Visakhapatnam:The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a report published in these columns, titled “Alarming decline in mangrove forests amid Vizag’s growth,” dated November 16, 2024.
The report had highlighted the significant reduction of expansive coastal ecosystems to “mere patches,” raising substantial concerns regarding coastal protection among environmental experts.
The NGT has requested a response from the director general of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and other pertinent authorities concerning the alleged degradation of mangroves in Visakhapatnam resulting from urbanisation.
In an order issued on November 22, NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, accompanied by judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A. Senthil Vel, acknowledged that the news article underscores the considerable risks to coastal protection and biodiversity arising from the loss of mangrove forests. The Tribunal underscored the crucial role of mangroves in preventing shoreline erosion and offering habitats for various avian species. The report also indicated a pronounced decline in mangrove and halophyte formations.
The Meghadri Gedda region, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal near the Visakhapatnam harbour, exemplifies this decline, significantly impacting bird biodiversity.
The Tribunal noted that this situation suggests a breach of the Coastal Regulation Zone notifications, the Biodiversity Act, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules and the Environment Protection Act.
The Tribunal has identified several respondents, including the director general of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education based in Dehradun, member secretaries from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board and the Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority, the regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change; the vice-chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority; and the Visakhapatnam District Magistrate.
Notices have been issued to these respondents, requiring them to submit their replies or responses via affidavit to the southern zonal bench of the Tribunal in Chennai. Further proceedings on this matter are scheduled for January 10.
