Beach sand mining - Peculiar headlines that misleed!

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The peculiar headline 
On page 3 of today’s (20 Nov) Deccan Chronicle I came across a very peculiar news item. The headline read “Sand mining gets nod” but the report itself said nothing about this “nod”. Now, the word “nod” in this context means “approval”. So someone scanning the headlines would think that the project is approved and the heavy machinery will move in any time soon to take away all the beach sand. I can only assume that some poor overworked reporter nodded off while writing that ridiculous headline. 

The peculiar headline and the nod that isn't

Telineelapuram? - Whats that?
Ironically the news item appeared a along with another news item on the same page that read:
Vizag turns into bird-lovers haven.
The other news item on the same page
Looking past the headline
As we look past the peculiar headline we find that the two stories read together tell an amazing story of greed and stupidity. 97% greed and 53% stupidity. I know that 97% and 53% adds up to 150%! Let us therefore put the extra 50% into the category of petty ignorance.  

Whats Naupada to do with Telineelapuram?
Let us understand how Naupada (or Nowpada as the reporter has spelt it) and Telineelapuram are associated with each other. Take a look at this map. You will notice that they less than 2 kms apart. If you visit Telineelapuram village you will find every tree full of majestic storks and pelicans. The area supports more than 100 bird species. Every few minutes the large birds arrive with fish from the Naupada wet lands in their beaks to feed their young ones. The local villagers nurture and love these creatures and they have been living and visiting here ever since they can remember. It is God's beutiful gift to the residents of the area. 
Naupada is adjacent this very important bird area
The Naupada wetlands is a actually a wonderland!
The marshy land is home to millions of birds. The bushes are teeming with life. Everywater body is filled with birds feeding. All around you you see  birds such as Cormorants, Falcons, Ospreys, Plovers, Herons, Egrets, snipes and so on. 

The birds of Telineelapuram have been declared endangered species and recorded in the Red Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to environmental laws of India and the RAMSAR Convention – an international conventional signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, to protect wetlands - to which India is a signatory, wetlands are protected areas and a no go area for polluting industry

Not only that, thousands of humans depend on these wet lands for survival. Pig and sheep herders, duck rearers, fisherfolk and farmers make a living out of the wet lands near the beach. A few salt mines are operational on the beach employing 2000 to 3000 people. It is estimated that around 30,000 peole make a living off the land in this area. A major friction between locals and an intrusive pollting thermal plant supported by big business is on since 5 years. Follow this link to see some pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/117435543637317707346/albums/5268793924600526545
Typical beach sand mining

MLAs shafting their own voters?
Now go back to the first news item about the "NOD". All the public of the area, citizens of this country, who democratically vote for candidates who they expect will support them now find that they are being shafted by their own MLAs! As far as the APPCB is concerned, you can expect them to  twist, turn and wriggle to favour big business. They are the worst thing to happen to this state's environment. But more about that later.

This blog post started out about bad headlines and ended up with the dangers of ruining the Naupada area. Many of you may not be interested in all this crap about birds and stuff. Whats it to me? You may well ask. As for me I care - and thats why I bring it to your attention. If you support saving this wonderland - Naupada - pass this message on to your friends. God knows, perhaps an influential politician or the Ministry of Environment and Forest may get to hear our views. 

Comments

T.N.Rao said…
A great explanation for the public to support your cause. But is there a public awareness in our society? The MLAs and their commercial intrests are proteceted by the rulers of the state. If this can be stopped then still there is a public interest and environment awareness exists in our society. Lets see, we are all support for your observation. Good luck.
7:25 pm
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