Three decades ago Lawson’s Bay Beach was one among the favourite haunts both for tourists and local people. It is still probably, the only beach in the city where swimming is considered relatively safe.
But the beach has lost its sheen, as a drain carrying city’s waste empties right on the beach. The beach is now an eyesore, as it is littered with plastic waste. The fishermen say plastic waste is creating a huge problem.
There are about 5,000 fishermen families inhabiting around the beach in the three villages of Vasavanipalem, Siva Ganesh Nagar and Peda Jalaripeta.
The fisherfolk own about 500 boats fitted with the outboard motor and most of them are facing problem due to plastic waste.
During high tide, the waste is carried into the sea, and the sea is littered with plastic waste at least till half-a-km into the sea, said Tedu Sankar Rao, secretary of Fishermen’s Youth Welfare Association. According to fisherman Yellaji, the plastic waste gets entangled into the nets, and because of that the fish catch was reduced. “Moreover, it is polluting the environment,” he says.
Former Head of the Department of Zoology, Andhra University, Bharatha Lakshmi said plastic waste was polluting the sea bed and affecting the flora and fauna. “The natural sea weed, which is the staple diet for many varieties of fish, is being destroyed,” she said. The professor also said the plastic waste is killing the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
“There were instances when we have found that the intestines of the turtles were blocked with plastic bags. They would have consumed them and had subsequently died. The same is the case with dolphins. This is turning out to be a major problem, not only locally but also globally,” said Prof. Bharatha Lakshmi.
According to Mr. Sankar Rao, the problem has been brought many times to the notice of authorities concerned, but there has been no response.
“As per CRZ notification of 2011, the drains should be connected to the sewage treatment plants and not be allowed to empty into the sea or beaches,” he said.