At a time when climate change is setting alarming bells ringing in various quarters, the recent relaxations in the Coastal Regulation Zone norms has put a question mark over the intentions to safeguard the coastal environment.
Andhra Pradesh has a coastline of 974 km, and the State on several occasions has reiterated its commitment to giving a fillip to port-led development. This has opened a Pandora’s Box with social activists raising a hue and cry over the powers-that-be allegedly succumbing to lobbying by hoteliers, realty and mining companies.
Notwithstanding severe erosion caused in Visakhapatnam and the seawater intrusion on and off owing to changing beach morphology, apparently as a result of concrete jungle culture, many allege that the government has succumbed to pressure tactics adopted by powerful lobbies.
"Already we are hit by regular incidence of fish-kill due to discharge of untreated industrial effluents, sewage and dumping of plastic and solid waste into the sea. The new CRZ rules will lead to massive displacement and loss of livelihood to traditional fishermen," says National Fisherfolk Forum general secretary Arjili Dasu.
While citing frequent occurrence of cyclones and sea incursion as a matter of grave concern, he says they are against allowing condominiums, villas and apartments in CRZ-II and strongly advocate banning beach sand mining and construction of beachfront resorts. Like him, for many fisherfolk activists, the latest notification dilutes the letter and spirit of enforcing an integrated coastal zone management plan to safeguard the coast and interest of fishing communities.
Construction of resorts and hotels are being continued right on the beachfront to promote tourism by either giving case-to-case exemptions or conveniently misinterpreting the rules raising alarm bells in various quarters. Social activists say the protection of the coast is necessary to prevent erosion of beaches and coastal wetlands including delta areas and frequent flooding. There is fear over increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and other gases and it is expected that it will lead to warming of the earth by several degrees in the next century due to greenhouse effect.
Changing beach morphology and massive constructions on the 30-km stretch between Visakhapatnam, the largest commercial hub of Andhra Pradesh, and Bheemunipatnam, a 17th century Dutch township, have raised alarm among various circles owing to seawater incursion and coastal erosion and crater-type cracks caused to INS Kursura Submarine Museum and the road near the fishing harbour in the city.
Notification hailed
The hotel, tourism and realty lobby hail the gazette notification as the right step to accelerate growth and create employment for locals. CREDAI Visakhapatnam chapter president P. Koteswara Rao says the new rules would give a boost to construction industry giving jobs to many. This will also lead to a multiplier effect helping various sectors to grow. While scoffing at criticism over relaxation of norms, he says the government should also make provision for measures to prevent climate change and coastal erosion. "Though we are from realty sector, we also have concern for biodiversity and public safety to prevent coastal erosion," he opines.
Hotel and Restaurant Association of A.P. general secretary Sandeep Reddy says relaxation of rules will pave the way for tourism development in a big way.
