Vishakhapatnam, also known as Vizag in east India, is a naturally biophilic city nestled between the Bay of Bengal and the lush Eastern Ghats. A prolific city and a tourist destination of its state Andhra Pradesh, its population is roughly 2 million people in an urban area of 240 square miles. It is a rich, biodiverse region with plentiful forest cover, an 83-mile-long coastline with many beaches visited by over 300,000 locals and tourists each month. It’s a rural sphere of influence over 4000 square miles, is mostly green. Visakhapatnam’s international port is India’s 5th busiest port. The fishing sector is made up of 63 coastal villages. Vizag has been resilient; however, this decade made global warming evident by season in the onslaught of typhoons and ensuing persistent drought. Vizag is exposed to greater pandemic potential based on its strategic location and culture.
Protecting the city’s biodiversity – its plant and animal species and their habitats can extend its coastal resiliency.
Significant work in species and habitat protection is on for over four decades in Vizag. The organization that has taken upon itself to be answerable for the region’s biophilic beauty and resilience via its animal and plant species is “Visakha Society for the Protection and Care of Animals,” or VSPCA-India. Several programs (e.g., animal birth control and annual rabies vaccinations, asepsis training for government vets, etc.) are in place for Vizag’s domestic animals – dogs, cats, and cattle, keeping human health and wellbeing in mind, while ensuring animals are embraced as members of urban society. Plans for “dog parks” across Vizag are in discussion with government authorities, while legislation to address the closure of pedigreed puppy “mills” is in the review.
January through June, VSPCA works on protecting 35 miles of the coastline by building ex-situ sea turtle hatcheries, employing fishermen in the work of the Olive Ridley sea turtle conservation. Despite Amphan typhoon’s onslaught, this year saw over 64,000 Lepidochelys olivacea vulnerable sea turtle babies return safely to sea. This program drew world attention to the endangerment of the Olive Ridley and shone a light on the sea turtle’s habitat and needs.
Pending further research, the health and environmental impacts from steadily increasing turtle populations over two decades on the ocean itself, and on the resident human and nonhuman populations can be better understood. The Lepidochelys olivacea is a symbolic “spokesperson” of this region. Bridging land and sea, it travels far across the oceans and comes back to nest here in large numbers – affecting marine life deep in the oceans, as well as coastal bird and animal species of the Bay of Bengal. This year saw juvenile mothers nest in Vizag’s beaches – a recently observed phenomenon.
Positive impacts from sea turtle conservation are resounding: corporates mitigating pollution practices; residents involved in a beach cleanup and being proud of Vizag’s sea turtle conservation (note the dogs from the sea turtle conservation team in the group), universities getting involved bringing science to residents and youth, and more.
Focus on the natural behavior of animals. Remain original in our thinking to retain the natural beauty and habitat for Vizag’s native animals (including domestic, feral, urban-wild, migratory) and plants.
When people refer to Visakhapatnam in 5 years, they speak to Vizag’s efforts in its biophilic journey. Their references reflect nature, species, animal-human co-existence, natural habitats, and animal assimilation into city life:
Examples:
“The city that has dogs in sea turtle conservation?!”
“The city of dog parks?”
Heightened awareness of plant-based living as a planetary health imperative and, of the inherent value of animals as - our common humanity, extended family, extended culture, and our sense of beauty and peace.
Reduce factory-produced animal meat for human consumption. Work towards making Vizag the Vegan Capital of Andhra Pradesh. Expand Vegan-Oriented Programs:
- Expand the Homeless Vegan Meals Program.
- Pursue Vegan Awareness Campaigns across Vizag.
- Expand Simhachalan Calves Program as part of the Cattle Respect Program.
- Pursue Vegan Franchises. Offer the residents of Vizag alternative animal-meat foods and milk.
- Demonstrate and encourage growing native rice, wheat, and millets. Replenish soil via native crop rotation, encourage nitrogen-fixing, and use only organic vermicomposting and fertilizer made from rescued cattle.
- Plan for Vegan-Farm-to-Table restaurant at Narsipatnam in collaboration with the government and locals.
Conscientious Education, Awareness, and Outreach for Biodiversity Sustenance across Vizag.
Educate with the aim that residents across Vizag comprehend that the city’s biodiversity is their heirloom to nurture and pass on as a legacy to the next generation:
- Expand Student Cadet Law Enforcement Environment Program.
- Host Meetups: Stray Animal Adoption Fairs, Humane Gardens Exhibit, Community Health, and Nature Visits at Kindness Farm – speaking to the importance of the roles of all Animals and Plants in society, etc.
- Work with University and Partners to host the first global conference in Vizag on Biodiversity Sustenance in Action.
Increase native plant habitats across the city.