Damage to mangroves: AP govt fined Rs 5 Cr; NGT bans land conversion

Kakinada: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Andhra Pradesh government to pay an interim compensation of Rs 5 crore for causing damage to the mangroves on 18 acres in the East Godavari district. National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone), Chennai, passed the verdict on a petition filed by environmentalist Bollisetty Satyanarayana praying for protecting the mangroves and ecosystem.

In 2020, the then East Godavari District Collector has acquired 120 acres of land filled with mangroves and mudflats for a housing scheme (Pedalandiriki Illu - Navaratnalu) for the poor.

In his petition, Bolisetty Satyanarayana had said the destruction of mangroves in Dummula Peta and Parlopeta in Kakinada district (then East Godavari district) violates Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 and 2019. He said this area has been classified as CRZ-1 and CRZ-1A. NGT directed the state government not to convert the land for any development. Disturbing the land is likely to affect the existence of mangroves and their protection.

The state government was directed to pay the penalty to the AP Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA), which can be further utilized for restoration, protection, conservation, and preservation of the existing mangroves in the coastal area. The state has been given six months for paying the penalty.

Further, the NGT constituted an expert committee to study the matter and submit a report on the extent of the damage to mangroves on 58 acres within six months. The committee members include each from National Coastal Zone Management Program (NCZMA), State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA), MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, East Godavari Estuarine Ecosystem Foundation, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management.

Restoration plan in 58 acres

The committee will be also preparing a plan to convert the entire 58 acres of forest area into a mangrove forest. The state government has to ensure its survival rate is not less than 85 percent.