State, Reliance get High Court notice for choking waterbodies

The Andhra Pradesh High Court issued notices to the Central and state governments and Reliance Industries on a petition that charged the oil giant with choking protected streams and creeks. The petitioner, Venkataramana Matsyakara Sankshema Seva Sangham, alleged that Reliance is dumping construction materials into several streams and creeks including a major creek, Mandara Kalva, at Gadimoga in East Godavari district.
The Venkataramana Matsyakara Sankshema Seva Sangham said the government allotted 87 hectares to Reliance to construct an offshore block to transport crude oil extracted from the KG basin. The land is situated within a prohibited zone near a bird sanctuary. The petitioner also alleged that Reliance has started construction activity beyond the 87 hectares, filling up creeks and streams and destroying mangrove forests. The court was told that a Coastal Regulatory Zone notification prohibited any interference with creeks near the shore. The petitioner urged the court to direct the respondents to remove the materials dumped in the creeks and other waterbodies. A division bench comprising Chief Justice A.R. Dave and Justice Meena Kumari directed the respondents to file their counter affidavits before February 13.