New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has sought response from the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and others on the alleged loss of mangroves due to urbanization in Visakhapatnam. The Green Body took spontaneous notice of a newspaper report, which said that the then-expanded coastal ecosystem had been reduced to “mere patches”, creating a rift among environmentalists for coastal protection and biodiversity. There has been serious concern about the damage.
A bench of National Green Tribunal chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava in an order on November 22 said, “The news highlights that the loss of mangroves is a serious threat to both coastal protection and biodiversity as mangroves prevent coastal erosion. play an important role in and provide habitat for various species of birds.”
“It is alleged that the number of mangroves and halophyte patches has declined rapidly over the years,” he added.
A bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthilval termed the report as “severe” on the impact on the biodiversity of the birds and the Meghadari Gida area bordering the Bay of Bengal near the Visakhapatnam port. example”. .
“The said matter indicates violation of provisions of Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications, Biodiversity Act, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, and Environment Protection Act,” the tribunal said.
He implored the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education at Dehradun as parties or respondents; Member Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board and Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority; Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Regional Office; Vice Chairman Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority; and Visakhapatnam District Magistrate.
“Issue notice to the above respondents to file their reply or reply by way of affidavit before the South Zonal Bench (at Chennai) of the tribunal,” the green body said.
The matter has been adjourned till January 10 for further proceedings.