Anakapalli: A significant environmental crisis has emerged as tonnes of dead fish washed ashore at Upputeru, a tidal basin in Nakkapalli mandal, allegedly due to untreated pharmaceutical waste being discharged into the water. A drug manufacturing company operating in the nearby Rajayyapeta mandal is reported to be releasing chemical effluents directly into the basin without proper treatment, causing severe ecological harm and impacting local livelihoods.
Fishermen have expressed deep concern over the incident, citing the contamination’s damaging effects on both the marine ecosystem and their economic well-being. The untreated effluents have not only reduced fish populations but also affected the quality of the catch, resulting in substantial financial losses for the fishing community.
Protesting against the pollution, the fishermen gathered at Upputeru, demanding urgent government intervention. They called for strict action against the pharmaceutical company and urged the authorities to enforce environmental regulations to prevent further damage. The community also sought compensation to mitigate the economic impact on affected families.
Despite repeated complaints over time, the problem remains unresolved, with concerns that the lack of action from regulatory bodies, such as the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), is exacerbating the situation. Fishermen emphasized that the degradation of the marine environment threatens not only their livelihoods but also the biodiversity of the region.
The protestors urged the government to hold the responsible parties accountable and implement effective measures to restore the health of the tidal basin, ensuring sustainable fishing in the future.