Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Low Turnout Highlights Awareness Concerns At Visakhapatnam Coastal Hearing
Officials held a meeting in Visakhapatnam about a plan for managing the coast.
The plan explains where different kinds of building and land use may be allowed.
Only about 100 people attended, even though many people live near the district’s long coastline.
Environmentalists said more people should know about the plan and that the documents should not be available only in English.
Fishermen worried about waste in the sea and possible harm to their livelihoods.
Some businesses supported more development in the Madhurawada-Bheemili area.
Landowners asked questions about restrictions and disputed areas.
Officials said public suggestions would be recorded before the plan is reviewed by higher authorities.
Around 100 people attended Visakhapatnam’s public hearing on Andhra Pradesh’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan.
The hearing was held under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019, which regulates coastal development and land use.
Environmentalists said limited participation and English-only documents raised concerns about public awareness.
Fishing communities sought cleaner coastal waters and warned that relaxations could increase pressure on livelihoods.
About 50 written representations will be recorded and sent to state and national authorities for review.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, environmentalists, fishing communities, businesses, landowners and public officials participated.
- What
- A public consultation was held on Andhra Pradesh’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- VMRDA Children’s Arena in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The consultation was conducted to collect objections and suggestions before the draft plan is sent for state and national review and approval.
Environmental And Livelihood Concerns
Development And Landowner Concerns
Coastal development
Environmental And Livelihood Concerns
Fishing representatives and environmental concerns focused on untreated waste, cleaner waters and the risk that CRZ-2019 relaxations could increase pressure on coastal communities.
Development And Landowner Concerns
The Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh supported changes along the Madhurawada-Bheemili corridor, citing growing infrastructure needs.
Zoning changes
Environmental And Livelihood Concerns
The Human Rights Forum opposed reclassifying the Madhurawada-Nerellavalasa stretch from CRZ-III to CRZ-II and questioned whether the public had received enough information and time.
Development And Landowner Concerns
Development interests supported changes to zoning in the corridor, while landowners sought clarity about restrictions in CRZ-III and No Development Zone areas.
Public participation
Environmental And Livelihood Concerns
Environmentalists said low attendance and the availability of maps and notifications only in English showed a need for greater public awareness.
Development And Landowner Concerns
Officials said objections and suggestions, including around 50 written representations, would be formally recorded and submitted for further review.
- Attendance
- Barely 100 people attended the public hearing.
- Coastline
- Visakhapatnam district has a 130-kilometre coastline.
- Population
- The district’s population is nearly 20 lakh.
- Representations
- Visakhapatnam Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said around 50 written representations had been received.
- Plan preparer
- The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai, prepared the draft plan.
- Legal framework
- The plan is being prepared under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019.
- Next step
- The state government will examine the representations before forwarding the draft to the national authority.