Krishna district Collector B. Lakshmikantam on Tuesday said criminal cases were registered against two parties which reportedly converted mangrove forest into aqua ponds along the coastline of Machilipatnam.
A team of officials led by Mr. Lakshmikantam inspected the mangrove forest at Pallepalem near the proposed Machilipatnam port area, where conversion of the forest into aqua ponds has become rampant. The mangrove forest, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Revenue Department, is under threat in strategic areas beginning from Machilipatnam to Krithivennu in Krishna district.
“We have decided to initiate legal action against those disturb the mangrove cover in the revenue land. I have requested Superintendent of Police Sarvasresth Tripathy to register criminal cases against the violators,” said Mr. Lakshmikantam.
The Collector told newsmen that a detail survey would be carried out, documenting the existence of the mangrove forest in the revenue land. “Special teams comprising the Revenue, Forest and Land Survey departments will survey the land with mangrove cover to check the practice as part of conservation measures,” the Collector said. He suggested that NGOs be roped in for the purpose.
Officials under scanner
Revenue officials have come under the scanner for their role in grant of permissions for the illegal activity..
Bandar Revenue Divisional Officer P. Saibaba, Machilipatnam Tahsildar Naradhamuni accompanied the Collector.
