Vijayawada: Bandar Fort Reserve Forest region, and its surrounding area, rich in thick mangroves, is located in Machilipatnam in the Krishna district, crying to protect encroachment to protect its biodiversity.
Foresters foiled the forest’s efforts to restore mangroves with one excuse or another, spreading over about 26,000 acres of land. In 2024-25, the move to restore at least 60 hectares of area ends up only 20 hectares. In 2025-26, given the stiff resistance of locals, even the stiff resistance of illegally occupying them cannot even begin to recover mangroves.
Whenever foresters armed the instructions of the Supreme Court and the instructions of the Mumbai High Court to engage in the restoration of mangroves, there was not much progress, given that those who care about grasping the land formed a series of obstacles.
The latest instructions from Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan have prevented forest officials from protecting forest land from encroachment, which seems to have kept Foresters some relief and confidence in Foresters to continue to protect and protect the Bandar Mangrove forest.
Bandar Reserve and its surrounding reserve forests have long been employed. It began with the 20 years since the national tax authorities leased nearly 6,500 acres of woodland to Bharat Salt in 2002. Even after the lease expires, the company is still reluctant to move out. It relocated the High Court and obtained the order to the status quo.
Foresters are confused about how tax authorities can lease land without their knowledge without legal documents and support. The company’s salt pots have had an impact on local biodiversity and the growth of mangroves.
People watched the land that grabbed the forest, encouraged the shrimp culture to be great, causing significant damage to the growth of mangroves and ecosystems. Any attempt by the Forester to eliminate the danger of illegal tanks to restore mangroves is faced with stiff resistance from many, including local political leaders.
Regional governments appear to be in a helpless position due to pressure from the supreme political leaders. These leaders now put forward a series of suggestions for the establishment of micro and small industrial units and other institutions, demanding to seize forest land and claim that this will generate economic activity and provide employment to locals.
“If there is a proposal to use forest land for income generation activities and create work potential, then we will not object, as long as the existing provisions in the relevant behavior should be supported,” said a senior forest official.
Environmentalists’ plans to invade mangroves have attracted attention. They are appealing to the question of seeking relief and protection of forest land with the National Green Tribunal and other laws.
It is worth noting that whenever nature’s rage strikes Machilipatnam, making Port City safer, the thick growth of mangroves can become a natural barrier. Under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972, the preservation of mangroves will also protect endangered species in the area.
