REVOLTING SIGHT: Waste material washed ashore by waves mars the beauty of the Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam. — Photo: K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: The favourite haunt of tourists coming to Visakhapatnam, from Hyderabad, Delhi or for that matter even those coming from abroad, are its silvery sands and sun-kissed beaches. Ask any tourist coming from non-coastal cities and towns and his/her first choice would be to chill out on the beach.

Unfortunately, the beaches are being robbed of their pristine charm with sewage water and wastes from drains being let out into the sea. The beach near Scandal Point and the one opposite the YMCA, which are frequented by scores of visitors every evening, have literally been reduced to cesspools with drain water, plastic wastes and coconut shells. At some places, the wastes are washed ashore by the waves.

Hasty retreat

Tourists are beginning to shun the beaches at Jalaripeta and Lawson's Bay with fishermen using them for open defecation. One can find both children and adults easing themselves on these beaches almost throughout the day unmindful of the occasional visitors who venture to enjoy the scenic beauty of these beaches.

Though underground drainage system is already under implementation, open drains are still in vogue in many colonies. Construction of Sulabh complexes at Jalaripeta and other areas and creating awareness among the fisher folk about the hazards of open defecation and the importance of keeping the beaches clean are the other measures which would go a long way in reviving the pristine beauty of the golden beaches.

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