Environmentalists seek action on Vizag coastal pollution

Visakhapatnam: Days after TOI’s report on the southern coastal belt of Visakhapatnam emerging as the most polluted coastline stretch in the city, several civil society organisations and environmentalists urged the authorities and the govt to take immediate remedial measures.Researchers from the department of environmental sciences at Acharya Nagarjuna University and the National Remote Sensing Centre used satellite remote sensing and GIS tools to assess pollution levels along the coastline stretching from Bheemunipatnam in the north to Gangavaram in the south. The findings revealed that the southern coastal belt, particularly areas around Gangavaram Port, Visakhapatnam Harbour, the Meghadrigedda drain outlet, Malkapuram, Pedagantyada, and parts of Gajuwaka recorded the highest levels of pollution.Environmentalist Bolisetty Satyanarayana said untreated sewage discharge, drainage outflows, and industrial waste were the primary causes of coastal pollution in Visakhapatnam. “Pollution from microplastics and heavy metals is emerging as a serious threat not only to marine biodiversity but also to public health. The need of the hour is effective implementation of high court directives on marine environmental protection, strengthening sewage treatment infrastructure, and accelerating the adoption of nature-based solutions such as bioremediation to restore and protect the coastal ecosystem,” he said.

In a letter to deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan, former finance secretary EAS Sarma said the study indicated that pollutants were entering seawater from industries located in and around Visakhapatnam without adequate regulation or control.“It should be noted that under Article 48A of the Constitution, the state govt has a responsibility to protect and improve the environment. The govt must also recognise that under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board is responsible for preventing and controlling pollution in water bodies.

Both the state govt and the APPCB must be held accountable for failing to curb water pollution.

Pollution of coastal waters in Visakhapatnam region has led to a decline in fish resources over the past two decades. This has adversely affected the livelihoods of fishing communities and has also caused economic losses to the state,” he said in the letter.