By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 22: More than 30 years after they were first discovered, the rich bauxite deposits in Vizag Agency tracts continue to cause controversy. Though the previous Telugu Desam government signed two MoUs for mining bauxite, they did not take off. However, the Congress government is going ahead with its plans to mine bauxite despite opposition from tribals, NGOs, rights organisations, Opposition political parties and Maoists.
On July 1, 2005, the then government signed a MoU with Jindal South West (JSW) of the Jindal Group and in February 14, 2007, a second MoU was signed with the Government of Ras al-Khaima of the United Arab Emirates. According to the MoUs, bauxite would be mined from the agency areas by the government-owned Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), which would sell it to the alumina refinery established by the private industries. This alumina will then be converted to aluminium.
JSW will set up its alumina smelter (purifying raw bauxite plant) in S Kota in the neighbouring Viziangaram district and RAK at Makavarapalem coming under Vizag district. The union environment ministry cleared two mining projects in October and December 2007, and a third one is in the pipeline. The Eastern Ghats are a storehouse of bauxite, with 564.33 million tonnes of deposits in Visakhapatnam district alone.
NGOs and activists contend that the bauxite mining would not only render thousands of tribals homeless, and ruin thousands of acres of coffee plantations, but will also damage the environment. The area is also home to tribal populations belonging to Bhagata, Khond, Konda Reddi, Samantha and other communities. The Constitution of India has provided special provisions for their protection in its Fifth Schedule.
A Supreme Court verdict given in the Samata case also helped activists to stall the project. The SC said that tribal land could be leased out only to government agencies, public sector companies or tribal societies and not to private companies.
"It is to circumvent this that the government has cleverly decided to bring APMDC into the picture," said Mr Ravi Rebbapragada of Samata, an NGO fighting against the mining proposal. "The government has not bothered to consult the tribals." It is being alleged that the public hearings being conducted by the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) for setting up the alumina refineries are being stage managed since those who oppose the project are not being given any chance to speak.
However, the tribals still have hope of stalling the project since the mining area has to be selected by the local Adivasi Grama Sabhas as per the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) ACT, 1996 (Pesa Act). Mr Rebbapragada pointed out that bauxite mining in nearby Orissa had left a trail of destruction. "It changes the entire ecology of the region," he said. "The water table would be affected and flora and fauna would disappear."
The mining areas of Galikonda and Chittiam Konda are home to the rare and endangered bird Athera Blewitti. In fact, there are many rare birds in the stretch from Sileru to Lammasingi and Paderu and Araku. Angry tribals have vowed to resist the project at all costs.
"I will not hesitate to use my bows and arrows," warned Mr Killo Surendra, an MPTC of Araku. Recently tribals in Araku roughed up a manager of Jindal South West Ltd who came to their areas to run a campaign in favour of bauxite mining. Authorities are now readying for a crucial public hearing by the AP Pollution Control Board at Chintapalli on October 3. Tribals in the area are strongly opposed to mining.
"They have deployed Greyhound squads to create fear among tribals but we are spreading awareness among people about the ill effects of mining," said the CPI district secretary, Mr J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy. "We will mobilise the maximum number of tribals to attend the hearing.
Maoists afraid of proposal
Visakhapatnam,, Sept. 22: The outlawed Maoists are bitterly opposed to the government plans to mine bauxite not just because of their concern for tribals but also because it would expose their hideouts. They fear that the mining activity would threaten their strongholds which come under the strategic Andhra Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee. The AOB tracts are known to be shelter zones of the extremists and are turning into action zones as well.
These tracts are also used as an escape route by many Maoists to move from one state to the other through the thick forest cover. Availability of water bodies in abundance also helps Maoists hide in the Vizag Agency and the thick forest cover makes combing operations difficult for the police. Maoists have now started organising meetings in the open with the tribals, goading them to fight against the mining proposal.
The extremist leaders have exhorted tribals to even physically fight the authorities to prevent the mining operations and warned of dire action against those who support it. These meetings gain importance because of the public hearing planned by the AP Pollution Control Board in Chintapalle on October 3.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fishy tale: Vizag’s Tuna in foreign net
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 13: More and more Sri Lankan fishermen are entering Indian waters to catch tuna fish which is much in demand in European countries as well as the United States and Japan. The fishermen are catching tuna illegally from the Exclusive Economic Zone of India in violation of Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of fishing by foreign vessels) Act of 1981.
Under international provisions, India can lay claim to 200 nautical miles of EEZ with 2.02 million square kms of area. Around 3.9 million tonnes of fish is available in the zone, of which 2.5 lakh tonnes is tuna alone. This tuna has proved to be too much of a temptation for Sri Lankan fishermen. In less than a week, the Indian Coast Guard has captured 20 Sri Lankan fishermen who were illegally fishing in the EEZ and seized the four vessels in which they were travelling.
On August 29, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sagar patrolling the EEZ found two fishing boats about 42 nautical miles southeast of Vizag harbour. The Sri Lankan fishing boats Chamari Duma with five crew members and Sumundra Dev Mata with six were fishing without any licenses or permits.
In another incident on September 1, nine Sri Lankan fishermen were apprehended by the Coast Guard while they were fishing in Indian waters 99 nautical miles southeast of Vizag. "They were Sri Lankan boats, Sant Odalya with five crew members and Malki Duwa with four crew members," said the Coast Guard deputy commandant, Ms Lalima Sharma.
The Coast Guard also seized 1,800 kg of tuna which was in the possession of the fishermen. They were later handed over to the local harbour police, who booked cases against them under sections 3 and 7 of the MZI Act.
Sri Lankan fishermen often enter the Indian territorial waters on Chennai side but this is the first time they have entered waters off Vizag. The City Police Commissioner, Mr Nanduri Sambasiva Rao, said authorities were looking at ways to release the fishermen. "Already an attaché from the Sri Lankan embassy has come to us," he further added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security), Mr P. Viswa Prasad, said that the Sri Lankans entered the EEZ only to catch tuna. "There is no sabotage involved," he said. "They just wanted to catch tuna which is in high demand in foreign countries."
Mechanised and motorised craft of India are permitted to operate under licences issued under the Marine Fishing Regulation Act. Each category of fishing boat is given a separate licence for purse-seining, gillnetting, dolnet fishing, hook-and-line fishing and trawling. The zone in which traditional craft conduct fishing is also protected through legislation.
The number of Sri Lankan vessels engaged in tuna fishing has doubled after the increase in demand for the fish in European and US markets. "We have requested the Coast Guard to check such illegal fishing," said Mr Appa Rao, president of the Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators Association. "It would be a huge loss for us if the Sri Lankans net our marine resources," he added.
A big catch
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 13: The depletion in the stocks of shrimp in the Bay of Bengal has forced local traders too to focus on tuna. Around 70 country boats fish tuna in the waters between Vizag and Kakinada and each boat gets a catch of at least 100 to 200 kg in a single voyage. And half of the catch of the local fishermen is purchased by four traders who export them to Japan and the United States from Chennai port. A kilogram of tuna is sold at Rs 60 in local markets and for about five dollars in international markets in Japan and US.
Some mechanised boats have also been converted into tuna liners to catch the fish. Local traders could export tuna worth Rs 129 crore from Vizag last year. The Marine Products Export Development Authority has set en export target of Rs 200 crore this year. MPEDA is also providing subsidy of around Rs 35 lakh per vessel for it to be converted to a tuna liner.
Factfile
* More Sri Lankan vessels enter Indian waters to catch tuna.
* The number of such vessels has doubled recently because of the high demand for tuna in Europe, the United States and Japan.
* Coast Guard has seized many vessels and arrested the fishermen.
* More than 2.5 lakh tonnes of tuna fish is available in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 13: More and more Sri Lankan fishermen are entering Indian waters to catch tuna fish which is much in demand in European countries as well as the United States and Japan. The fishermen are catching tuna illegally from the Exclusive Economic Zone of India in violation of Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of fishing by foreign vessels) Act of 1981.
Under international provisions, India can lay claim to 200 nautical miles of EEZ with 2.02 million square kms of area. Around 3.9 million tonnes of fish is available in the zone, of which 2.5 lakh tonnes is tuna alone. This tuna has proved to be too much of a temptation for Sri Lankan fishermen. In less than a week, the Indian Coast Guard has captured 20 Sri Lankan fishermen who were illegally fishing in the EEZ and seized the four vessels in which they were travelling.
On August 29, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sagar patrolling the EEZ found two fishing boats about 42 nautical miles southeast of Vizag harbour. The Sri Lankan fishing boats Chamari Duma with five crew members and Sumundra Dev Mata with six were fishing without any licenses or permits.
In another incident on September 1, nine Sri Lankan fishermen were apprehended by the Coast Guard while they were fishing in Indian waters 99 nautical miles southeast of Vizag. "They were Sri Lankan boats, Sant Odalya with five crew members and Malki Duwa with four crew members," said the Coast Guard deputy commandant, Ms Lalima Sharma.
The Coast Guard also seized 1,800 kg of tuna which was in the possession of the fishermen. They were later handed over to the local harbour police, who booked cases against them under sections 3 and 7 of the MZI Act.
Sri Lankan fishermen often enter the Indian territorial waters on Chennai side but this is the first time they have entered waters off Vizag. The City Police Commissioner, Mr Nanduri Sambasiva Rao, said authorities were looking at ways to release the fishermen. "Already an attaché from the Sri Lankan embassy has come to us," he further added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security), Mr P. Viswa Prasad, said that the Sri Lankans entered the EEZ only to catch tuna. "There is no sabotage involved," he said. "They just wanted to catch tuna which is in high demand in foreign countries."
Mechanised and motorised craft of India are permitted to operate under licences issued under the Marine Fishing Regulation Act. Each category of fishing boat is given a separate licence for purse-seining, gillnetting, dolnet fishing, hook-and-line fishing and trawling. The zone in which traditional craft conduct fishing is also protected through legislation.
The number of Sri Lankan vessels engaged in tuna fishing has doubled after the increase in demand for the fish in European and US markets. "We have requested the Coast Guard to check such illegal fishing," said Mr Appa Rao, president of the Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators Association. "It would be a huge loss for us if the Sri Lankans net our marine resources," he added.
A big catch
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 13: The depletion in the stocks of shrimp in the Bay of Bengal has forced local traders too to focus on tuna. Around 70 country boats fish tuna in the waters between Vizag and Kakinada and each boat gets a catch of at least 100 to 200 kg in a single voyage. And half of the catch of the local fishermen is purchased by four traders who export them to Japan and the United States from Chennai port. A kilogram of tuna is sold at Rs 60 in local markets and for about five dollars in international markets in Japan and US.
Some mechanised boats have also been converted into tuna liners to catch the fish. Local traders could export tuna worth Rs 129 crore from Vizag last year. The Marine Products Export Development Authority has set en export target of Rs 200 crore this year. MPEDA is also providing subsidy of around Rs 35 lakh per vessel for it to be converted to a tuna liner.
Factfile
* More Sri Lankan vessels enter Indian waters to catch tuna.
* The number of such vessels has doubled recently because of the high demand for tuna in Europe, the United States and Japan.
* Coast Guard has seized many vessels and arrested the fishermen.
* More than 2.5 lakh tonnes of tuna fish is available in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Maoists stir up a Nandigram in Vizag
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sep 11: Vizag Agency might turn another Nandigram where
the outlawed Maoists suspected to be behind the agitation launched against
SEZs. More than 30 were killed in the clashes between the police and
agitating tribals supported by Maoists in Nandigram. The same situation
might arise in Vizag Agency areas. Hitherto pledging their support to the
anti bauxite mining agitation launched by tribals through posters and
pamphlets the ultras took a giant step. Throwing a challenge to the
greyhounds and police the Maoists started organizing meetings in open with
the tribals. They are instigating the local tribals to fight against the
authorities if needed. The meetings by the Maoists gained importance in
view of the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) going to hold a public
hearing on bauxite mining in Chintapalle on Oct 3. Around 15 to 30 naxals
with their arms organized meetings in Koundrupalli village last week and
Dhoundupalli village on Tuesday this week. Both the villages come under
the Jerella reserve forest division of GK Veedhi Agency mandal where the
State proposed to mine bauxite through AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC). CPI Maoists (East Division)
representative Ganesh along with some of his associates took part on the
meetings. They told the tribals to strongly oppose the bauxite mining at
the public hearing and if needed resort to a physical fight. They tried to
influence the tribals by saying that the bauxite mining is an evil, which
would eat them while throwing them out of gear. The naxals said that the
mining would be a threat to the livelihood of lakhs of tribals and also
affect the surrounding environment. They have also warned the tribals of
dire consequences if they vote for mining at the slated public hearing.
According to the highly placed sources Maoists leader Ganesh at the
meeting in Dhoundupalli said, “You all should be ready for a physical
fight if needed. We would be behind you. Get ready to revolt against the
government which is trying to mine the bauxite mineral”. The ultras
earlier also held similar anti bauxite mining meetings in the villages
going to be affected by the mining in GK Veedhi Agency mandal. After the
Balimela incident where the Greyhound personnel were killed by the ultras
they stopped organizing such meetings as the police stepped up combing
operations on the Andhra Orissa Border, especially in Vizag Agency areas.
Now freshly the naxals organsied these meetings. It was in June this year
in an encounter police gunned down four extremists including three women
members and one important leader Ranadev, who was the master mind behind
the Koraput and some more major attacks in Orissa and Chattisgarh at
Gunukurai in GK Veedhi Agency mandal. It is leant that the police struck
them when they were making arrangements to organize a special meeting
against bauxite mining on large scale. “More than love towards the welfare
of the tribals the Maoists are pledging their support for anti mining
agitation for their own existence. Once the mining starts there will be a
lot of activity in the Vizag Agency, which would be threat for their
survival. Vizag Agency bordering Orissa is a promising shelter zone for
the ultras due to the tough terrain and thick forest cover it offers,”
said a senior political leader belonging to Agency areas. The state
government through Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC)
is planning to mine the bauxite that is richly available in Vizag Agency
tracts. The APMDC entered into MoUs with the Jindal South West Ltd and Ras
Al Khaima, a UAE based firm to supply bauxite. The Jindals and RAK are
planning to setup alumina refineries in Vizag and neighbouring
Vizianagaram districts. The bauxite mined by the APMDC in Vizag Agency
will be supplied to Jindals and RAK. Bauxite mined in Araku and
Anantagiri, both known for rich coffee cultivation will be supplied to
Jindals’ refinery and the mineral available in Jeralla division under GK
Veedhi will be supplied to RAK.
Visakhapatnam, Sep 11: Vizag Agency might turn another Nandigram where
the outlawed Maoists suspected to be behind the agitation launched against
SEZs. More than 30 were killed in the clashes between the police and
agitating tribals supported by Maoists in Nandigram. The same situation
might arise in Vizag Agency areas. Hitherto pledging their support to the
anti bauxite mining agitation launched by tribals through posters and
pamphlets the ultras took a giant step. Throwing a challenge to the
greyhounds and police the Maoists started organizing meetings in open with
the tribals. They are instigating the local tribals to fight against the
authorities if needed. The meetings by the Maoists gained importance in
view of the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) going to hold a public
hearing on bauxite mining in Chintapalle on Oct 3. Around 15 to 30 naxals
with their arms organized meetings in Koundrupalli village last week and
Dhoundupalli village on Tuesday this week. Both the villages come under
the Jerella reserve forest division of GK Veedhi Agency mandal where the
State proposed to mine bauxite through AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC). CPI Maoists (East Division)
representative Ganesh along with some of his associates took part on the
meetings. They told the tribals to strongly oppose the bauxite mining at
the public hearing and if needed resort to a physical fight. They tried to
influence the tribals by saying that the bauxite mining is an evil, which
would eat them while throwing them out of gear. The naxals said that the
mining would be a threat to the livelihood of lakhs of tribals and also
affect the surrounding environment. They have also warned the tribals of
dire consequences if they vote for mining at the slated public hearing.
According to the highly placed sources Maoists leader Ganesh at the
meeting in Dhoundupalli said, “You all should be ready for a physical
fight if needed. We would be behind you. Get ready to revolt against the
government which is trying to mine the bauxite mineral”. The ultras
earlier also held similar anti bauxite mining meetings in the villages
going to be affected by the mining in GK Veedhi Agency mandal. After the
Balimela incident where the Greyhound personnel were killed by the ultras
they stopped organizing such meetings as the police stepped up combing
operations on the Andhra Orissa Border, especially in Vizag Agency areas.
Now freshly the naxals organsied these meetings. It was in June this year
in an encounter police gunned down four extremists including three women
members and one important leader Ranadev, who was the master mind behind
the Koraput and some more major attacks in Orissa and Chattisgarh at
Gunukurai in GK Veedhi Agency mandal. It is leant that the police struck
them when they were making arrangements to organize a special meeting
against bauxite mining on large scale. “More than love towards the welfare
of the tribals the Maoists are pledging their support for anti mining
agitation for their own existence. Once the mining starts there will be a
lot of activity in the Vizag Agency, which would be threat for their
survival. Vizag Agency bordering Orissa is a promising shelter zone for
the ultras due to the tough terrain and thick forest cover it offers,”
said a senior political leader belonging to Agency areas. The state
government through Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC)
is planning to mine the bauxite that is richly available in Vizag Agency
tracts. The APMDC entered into MoUs with the Jindal South West Ltd and Ras
Al Khaima, a UAE based firm to supply bauxite. The Jindals and RAK are
planning to setup alumina refineries in Vizag and neighbouring
Vizianagaram districts. The bauxite mined by the APMDC in Vizag Agency
will be supplied to Jindals and RAK. Bauxite mined in Araku and
Anantagiri, both known for rich coffee cultivation will be supplied to
Jindals’ refinery and the mineral available in Jeralla division under GK
Veedhi will be supplied to RAK.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Surrendered naxal awaits State relief
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sep 7: A former naxalite is now caught between deep sea and the devil. Korra Pandhanna alias Naveen, 35, who was earlier a deputy commander of Galikonda and Polakagiri dalams is now in a fix. He can neither go back to naxals nor continue with the police. Pandhanna, a native of Kannavaram village coming under Koyyuru mandal joined naxal movement in 2001. He later gave up arms and surrendered before the then district superintendent of police Sanjay Kumar Jain in 2005 due to some health related problems and also hearing the incentives and schemes announced by the state government for the surrendered extremists. Even three years after his surrender he still awaits for his reward of Rs 1 lakh announced by the state government and leading a troublesome life as a home guard with a meager Rs 3,000 per month given by the police department. He also frequently receives threats from the extremists for surrendering and working for police. “Mine is a very miserable tale. The constant harassment by the police when I was just a naxal sympathizer drove me to become an active fulltime extremist. Later due to some health related and family problems I quit the naxal movement thinking that my life would be fine after hearing the assurances given by the state government and police,” Pandhanna told this correspondent. He further said that all the assurances given by the police and the state government were just nonsense. Pandhanna said that now he is not able to lead a peaceful life and unable to look after his family properly due to financial woes. He is pleading the authorities to sanction his reward immediately. The surrendered extremist said that he gave up arms and joined mainstream with a motive to give education to his three kids, which was not fulfilled even three years after his surrender due to the financial woes. Pandhanna can operate a AK 47, SLR and .303 weapons and took part in the assassination of a police constable and also many important land mine blasts, attacks on police stations and exchanges of fire. After his surrender Pandhanna could not live in his native Agency villages as he received threatening calls from the naxal leaders. “CPI Maoists east division committee secretary, Jagadeesh had sent statements many times saying that they would kill him. Then the police asked me to work in Vizag as a home guard. Greyhounds’ parties take us with them for combing in Agency areas. Greyhounds take us forcibly with them even though we show our unwillingness to accompany them as the extremists kill us for helping police,” said Pandhanna. Some of the surrendered Maoists once wrote some letters to the extremists stating their plight with the police department, which later fell in the hands of the police. Pandhanna said that after the combing parties seized those letters from an arrested naxal party they harassed those who wrote letters. “Now I really don’t know what to do. If I go back to my native village extremists will definitely kill me. But cannot live here with the police department,” the surrendered extremist added.
Visakhapatnam, Sep 7: A former naxalite is now caught between deep sea and the devil. Korra Pandhanna alias Naveen, 35, who was earlier a deputy commander of Galikonda and Polakagiri dalams is now in a fix. He can neither go back to naxals nor continue with the police. Pandhanna, a native of Kannavaram village coming under Koyyuru mandal joined naxal movement in 2001. He later gave up arms and surrendered before the then district superintendent of police Sanjay Kumar Jain in 2005 due to some health related problems and also hearing the incentives and schemes announced by the state government for the surrendered extremists. Even three years after his surrender he still awaits for his reward of Rs 1 lakh announced by the state government and leading a troublesome life as a home guard with a meager Rs 3,000 per month given by the police department. He also frequently receives threats from the extremists for surrendering and working for police. “Mine is a very miserable tale. The constant harassment by the police when I was just a naxal sympathizer drove me to become an active fulltime extremist. Later due to some health related and family problems I quit the naxal movement thinking that my life would be fine after hearing the assurances given by the state government and police,” Pandhanna told this correspondent. He further said that all the assurances given by the police and the state government were just nonsense. Pandhanna said that now he is not able to lead a peaceful life and unable to look after his family properly due to financial woes. He is pleading the authorities to sanction his reward immediately. The surrendered extremist said that he gave up arms and joined mainstream with a motive to give education to his three kids, which was not fulfilled even three years after his surrender due to the financial woes. Pandhanna can operate a AK 47, SLR and .303 weapons and took part in the assassination of a police constable and also many important land mine blasts, attacks on police stations and exchanges of fire. After his surrender Pandhanna could not live in his native Agency villages as he received threatening calls from the naxal leaders. “CPI Maoists east division committee secretary, Jagadeesh had sent statements many times saying that they would kill him. Then the police asked me to work in Vizag as a home guard. Greyhounds’ parties take us with them for combing in Agency areas. Greyhounds take us forcibly with them even though we show our unwillingness to accompany them as the extremists kill us for helping police,” said Pandhanna. Some of the surrendered Maoists once wrote some letters to the extremists stating their plight with the police department, which later fell in the hands of the police. Pandhanna said that after the combing parties seized those letters from an arrested naxal party they harassed those who wrote letters. “Now I really don’t know what to do. If I go back to my native village extremists will definitely kill me. But cannot live here with the police department,” the surrendered extremist added.
As the sea seeps in
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 7: An expert study has revealed that groundwater in the coastal areas of the state is slowly turning salty. Unless urgent remedial action is taken, the farmers of the area would face crop failure and attendant financial crisis. The hydro geochemistry study was conducted by a group from the environmental science department of the Gitam University.
As part of it, 81 groundwater samples were collected from 21 places in Nellore, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. And most of the samples contained salt. One reason for this is the overuse of groundwater. In scientific terms, when freshwater is withdrawn at a faster rate than it can be replenished, the water table drawdown sets in with a resultant decrease in the overall hydrostatic pressure. And when this happens near an ocean shoreline, the saltwater from the sea intrudes into the freshwater aquifer.
Some of the water samples collected were tested and studied at the university labs and others at the National Geographic Research Institute at Hyderabad. "Alarmingly, most of the water samples collected are salty," said Prof. Ch Ramakrishna of Gitam University . "This spells trouble for agricultural activity along the entire coastal area." Not only that, the general populace would also face acute shortage of freshwater. Prof. Ramakrishna said that there were a large number of borewells in Nellore which had resulted in overuse and depletion of groundwater. This resulted in intrusion of salt water.
The situation in Vizag was even worse because of the discharge of polluted industrial wastes into seawater which then creeps into groundwater. "This is causing an environmental ecological imbalance," said Prof. Ramakrishna. "The effluents being discharged into the sea by industries in and around Vizag are not being treated well. The levels of magnesium, sodium and other minerals in the groundwater are also found to be above the required levels.
Vizag becoming Chennai
Visakhapatnam would soon become another Chennai at the rate in which the groundwater in the district is turning salty. Residents of coastal battery near the collectorate, Kota Veedhi, the old post office and the port areas in One Town, Mulakuddu and Nagarapalem besides, parts of Thagarapuvalasa in the rural areas were in distress recently after it was found that the water they drew from their wells tasted salty.
Chennai residents had experienced this over two decades ago following overdrawing of groundwater. At present, people in chennai are unable to extract freshwater from the ground and have to depend on other sources. "We were surprised to get salty water from the well in our backyard instead of freshwater as usual," said Mr Ramu, a resident of coastal battery. "We have never used municipal tap water as the water from our well always tasted good. But all that has changed now."
Experts pointed out that groundwater had been overdrawn in Vizag and there was no scope for recharge. Most people have plastered their compounds with tiles or cement and this prevents rainwater from seeping into the ground and replenishing groundwater.
"There is rapid depletion and deterioration in quantity and quality of groundwater," said Mr D. Bhima Sankar Rao, deputy director of the groundwater department. "Though we have not received any specific complaint about saltwater intrusion, we know that the coastal battery area is affected by this," he further added.
To solve this problem, the groundwater department has been asking local bodies to insist on setting up of recharge structures during construction of commercial buildings, residential complexes and industrial houses. In most places, once saltwater intrusion takes place, it requires great efforts to bring things back to normal.
"However, Vizag is lucky since it is surrounded by hills which protect groundwater," said the official. "City residents need to adopt methods of artificial recharge such as rainwater harvesting, recharge pits or recharge wells."
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 7: An expert study has revealed that groundwater in the coastal areas of the state is slowly turning salty. Unless urgent remedial action is taken, the farmers of the area would face crop failure and attendant financial crisis. The hydro geochemistry study was conducted by a group from the environmental science department of the Gitam University.
As part of it, 81 groundwater samples were collected from 21 places in Nellore, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. And most of the samples contained salt. One reason for this is the overuse of groundwater. In scientific terms, when freshwater is withdrawn at a faster rate than it can be replenished, the water table drawdown sets in with a resultant decrease in the overall hydrostatic pressure. And when this happens near an ocean shoreline, the saltwater from the sea intrudes into the freshwater aquifer.
Some of the water samples collected were tested and studied at the university labs and others at the National Geographic Research Institute at Hyderabad. "Alarmingly, most of the water samples collected are salty," said Prof. Ch Ramakrishna of Gitam University . "This spells trouble for agricultural activity along the entire coastal area." Not only that, the general populace would also face acute shortage of freshwater. Prof. Ramakrishna said that there were a large number of borewells in Nellore which had resulted in overuse and depletion of groundwater. This resulted in intrusion of salt water.
The situation in Vizag was even worse because of the discharge of polluted industrial wastes into seawater which then creeps into groundwater. "This is causing an environmental ecological imbalance," said Prof. Ramakrishna. "The effluents being discharged into the sea by industries in and around Vizag are not being treated well. The levels of magnesium, sodium and other minerals in the groundwater are also found to be above the required levels.
Vizag becoming Chennai
Visakhapatnam would soon become another Chennai at the rate in which the groundwater in the district is turning salty. Residents of coastal battery near the collectorate, Kota Veedhi, the old post office and the port areas in One Town, Mulakuddu and Nagarapalem besides, parts of Thagarapuvalasa in the rural areas were in distress recently after it was found that the water they drew from their wells tasted salty.
Chennai residents had experienced this over two decades ago following overdrawing of groundwater. At present, people in chennai are unable to extract freshwater from the ground and have to depend on other sources. "We were surprised to get salty water from the well in our backyard instead of freshwater as usual," said Mr Ramu, a resident of coastal battery. "We have never used municipal tap water as the water from our well always tasted good. But all that has changed now."
Experts pointed out that groundwater had been overdrawn in Vizag and there was no scope for recharge. Most people have plastered their compounds with tiles or cement and this prevents rainwater from seeping into the ground and replenishing groundwater.
"There is rapid depletion and deterioration in quantity and quality of groundwater," said Mr D. Bhima Sankar Rao, deputy director of the groundwater department. "Though we have not received any specific complaint about saltwater intrusion, we know that the coastal battery area is affected by this," he further added.
To solve this problem, the groundwater department has been asking local bodies to insist on setting up of recharge structures during construction of commercial buildings, residential complexes and industrial houses. In most places, once saltwater intrusion takes place, it requires great efforts to bring things back to normal.
"However, Vizag is lucky since it is surrounded by hills which protect groundwater," said the official. "City residents need to adopt methods of artificial recharge such as rainwater harvesting, recharge pits or recharge wells."
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