Low Turnout At Visakhapatnam CZMP Hearing Raises Awareness Concerns
Low public participation at Visakhapatnam’s CZMP hearing has raised concerns over awareness of coastal regulations among residents and fishing communities.
Public consultation on Andhra Pradesh’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday saw low participation, with barely 100 people attending despite the district having a 130-km coastline and a population of nearly 20 lakh.
The meeting had been convened at the VMRDA Children’s Arena as part of the process for finalising the draft CZMP under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, which governs development and land use along the coast.
Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA) and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) organised the meeting. National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, has prepared the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan.
The organisers explained the four CRZ categories and the changes introduced under the 2019 notification compared with the 2011 framework, before inviting objections and suggestions.
The limited participation at the hearing has raised concerns among environmentalists about awareness within the public. They noted that the notification and maps had been made available only in English.
“People often realise the implications of coastal regulations only when their own lands or livelihoods are restricted. There is a need for greater public awareness and a more responsible effort to understand the rules governing the fragile surroundings in which they live,” an expert Sohan Hattangadi observed.
Fishing communities raised concerns over untreated waste entering the sea and the impact of development on their livelihoods.
“If relaxations are permitted under CRZ – 2019, we need to consider how much more pressure this could put on the coast and fishing communities,” said Teddu Shankar of Peda Jalaripeta, stressing the need for cleaner waters and better conditions for fishermen.
Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh president Pavan Karteek spoke about the development interests. He supported changes along the Madhurawada-Bheemili corridor, citing growing infrastructure needs.
Landowners expressed concerns over restrictions in CRZ-III and No Development Zone areas. Members of the Bheemunipatnam Mutually Aided Cooperative Building Society sought clarity on land near Erramatti Dibbalu, a geo-heritage site where disputes have persisted since 1983.
The Human Rights Forum opposed reclassifying the Madhurawada-Nerellavalasa stretch from CRZ-III to CRZ-II, questioning whether adequate information and time had been given to the public.
Vizag collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said around 50 written representations have been received. “All the objections and suggestions received from the public will be recorded in written and video formats and submitted to the concerned state-level authority,” he stated.
The state government will examine the representations before forwarding the draft plan to the national authority for review and approval. CRZ – 2019 framework will come into force once the prescribed process is completed.
