A view of the fallen coconut trees floating in the Upputeru creek, near the confluence point where it meets with the Bay of Bengal, at Chinna Gollapalem in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The villagers say, a tree falls on every New Moon and Full Moon days, when the tidal waves are high.
| Photo Credit: KVS GIRI
Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry on Wednesday met National Disaster Management Authority, New Delhi, member Rajendra Singh, and discussed the sea erosion at Chinna Gollapalem in Kruthivennu mandal in Krishna district.
He highlighted how the intense wave activity has led to the loss of agricultural land spanning many acres in the coastal village.
He highlighted other factors including increasing tidal waves, rising sea level due to climate change, weakening of the coastal land due to excessive sand mining, loss of mangroves, the protective shield in the event of natural calamities, urbanisation and construction activities, all which have led to the gradual erosion of the land.
Additionally, sea water ingress into the land has increased salinity, resulting in lower agricultural yields. Farmers and fishermen are being equally affected, the MP told the Central official.
Mr. Balashowry discussed ways to combat the erosion and suggested the construction of sea walls, conservation of mangroves, to be taken up, coastal protection plans to be formulated, relocation of villagers if necessary, and providing financial assistance to farmers.
Villagers informed that over a 16-year period, the cashew and casuarina trees across more than 1,200 acres, belonging to nearly 600 farmers, have been lost gradually to the sea.
According to a press note, Mr Rajendra Singh responded positively and promised support once proposals are received from the State government.
Published – March 26, 2025 09:55 pm IST
