The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated 177.30 square kilometer surrounding Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) as an Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) in the Godavari estuary in Andhra Pradesh to protect the sanctuary and its ecosystem from future threats. has been declared. State.
The total extent of the sanctuary is 235.70 square kilometres, which includes the entire Hope Island in the Bay of Bengal. The Gazette of the ESZ was published on 22 September based on the draft prepared by the state government.
On the seaward side of the sanctuary, the ESZ extends from 500 m to 5 km excluding the port boundary, 50 m towards the northern boundary and 11.5 km towards the southern side. On behalf of Kakinada city, the ESZ is limited to 50 meters from the boundary line of the sanctuary.
The future development needs of the city of Kakinada, the current activities of the Kakinada port, and the primary livelihood activity (fishing) of the villagers who settled around the sanctuary were factors that required a decision. The main objective is to protect and conserve the fishing cat, Indian Smooth-coated Otter, Olive Ridley Turtle and bird species in the sanctuary.
The State Government has been directed to prepare a Zonal Master Plan within two years for the protection of ESZs.
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