Sat Aug 02 14:00:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Kakinada District Committee on Protection of Waterbodies has announced plans to evict encroachers from 1,548 acres of waterbodies in the district. A joint survey in 2024 revealed that a significant portion of the district’s 21,185 acres of drinking and irrigation tanks have been illegally occupied. The committee, headed by Joint Collector Rahul Meena, has ordered a fresh survey to demarcate boundaries and issue eviction notices. They also plan to erect informational boards near the waterbodies to prevent future encroachments.
**News Article:**
**Kakinada District to Reclaim Hundreds of Acres of Encroached Waterbodies**
**KAKINADA, August 2, 2025** – The Kakinada District administration is taking a firm stance against the encroachment of vital water resources. The District Committee on Protection of Waterbodies, chaired by Joint Collector Rahul Meena, announced today that it will be issuing eviction notices to those who have illegally occupied 1,548 acres of drinking and irrigation ponds throughout the district.
The decision follows a 2024 joint survey by the Revenue and Water Resources departments, which revealed the alarming scale of the problem. Out of the district’s total 21,185 acres of designated waterbodies, a significant portion has been subject to unauthorized occupation. Only a small fraction, approximately two-and-a-half acres, was reclaimed over the past year.
“We are committed to protecting our precious water resources for the benefit of all residents,” stated Mr. Meena during a meeting with stakeholders and officials. He has directed officials to conduct a fresh survey to accurately identify the boundaries of each pond and ensure the proper serving of eviction notices.
In addition to the eviction process, the committee plans to erect informative boards near the waterbodies, clearly displaying their extent, boundaries, and survey numbers. This proactive measure aims to deter future encroachment attempts and raise public awareness about the importance of preserving these essential resources.
District Revenue Officer J. Venkata Rao, District Panchayat Officer V. Ravi Kumar, and representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and Town Planning authorities were also present at the meeting, signaling a unified approach to tackling this critical environmental issue. The Kakinada district’s initiative serves as a strong message: the illegal seizure of water resources will not be tolerated.
First Piper 