Environment Ministry calls for report on tourism projects in Visakhapatnam
The Hindu
MoEF&CC seeks report from APCZMA on alleged CRZ violations by APTDC & GVMC in Visakhapatnam.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has sought a report and comments from the Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA) on the alleged violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in the construction of a resort atop Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam, and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s (GVMC)’s Karthikavanam Eco-Tourism Project at Yendada village in the context of the petitions being currently heard by the High Court.
A MoEF&CC scientist sent a communication to that effect to the APCZMA member-secretary a few days ago, seeking a report and comments at the earliest. The APCZMA is mandated to submit its report and views as per the powers conferred on it by the MoEF&CC under Sections 5, 10 and 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to monitor and ensure the provisions of the CRZ notifications.
The tourism project atop Rushikonda Hill has been challenged in the High Court by TDP Visakhapatnam East constituency MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu and GVMC corporator P.V.L.N. Murthy Yadav of the Jana Sena Party (JSP).
Mr. Murthy Yadav had also filed a petition against the Karthikavanam Eco-Tourism Project in the High Court, alleging violations of the CRZ norms.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.