The State government of India is cutting down vast amounts of forests to build housing for people in Kakinada
More than 50% of mangrove forests are found in India but this is rapidly declining - this is putting the entire population of Kakinada (who rely on the forests) in danger
In April 2020 the National Green Tribunal urged the state government to stop cutting the mangroves down and get 145 acres have been cut down during lockdown
These activities violate the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the Central Zone Regulation Notification 2011 & 2019
Environmental protection act 1986 and the Biodiversity Act
The Coringa wildlife sanctuary is home to 35 species of mangroves, 14 species of masala, 188 species of fauna, and 80 species of mangrove dependent fish
The deforestation of these mangroves affects the livelihoods of 18 fishing villages directly
The mangroves have protected the area from 7 cyclones and 1 tsunami - deforesting just a small portion of the forest would stop the protection and therefore the housing built on the land is likely to be washed away in the near future
How you can help
Follow and digital protest with @savemadaforest #SaveMangroves $SaveKakinadaMangroves #SaveMangrovesSaveKakinada, reach out to @fridays_for_future_ap to help volunteer!