An deserted constructing renovated as a polling sales space for 319 fisherfolk voters on Hope Island close to the Kakinada coast.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
HOPE ISLAND (Kakinada)
A devoted staff constituted of Central Armed Police Force personnel, wildlife authorities, and polling workers is ready for a dangerous voyage in Kakinada Bay to conduct the polling in Hope Island, a tadpole-shaped sand spit fashioned a century in the past off the Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh.
Inhabited by as many as 50 fisherfolk households, the island is a part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS). All the households right here rely on fishing within the sea and incomes a livelihood in small-scale fishing exercise.
The island has 319 voters together with 145 male voters, 170 feminine voters and 4 new voters who enrolled this yr.
The northern tip of the 16-kilometre-long island has been dealing with a risk of abrasion owing to dredging exercise being performed for the operation of the Kakinada Deep Seaport and Anchorage ports. The island spreads over 6.17 sq. kilometers and one of many prime breeding floor for olive ridley turtles on the East Coast of India.
Wildlife staff help
“We have sought logistics support from the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary authorities. They have allotted a 20-seat boat and pledged to deploy their personnel and route guide for the sailing between Kakinada Anchorage port and the island”, Tallarevu Tahsildar M. Srinivasa Rao advised The Hindu.
By mid-April, the Revenue and Wildlife authorities had sailed thrice in Kakinada Bay. The boat additionally carried meals supplies to help the complete election staff’s keep for two days, together with a single night time to conduct the ballot.
Unique sales space
“An abandoned government school building has been renovated to conduct the poll on the island. In the blue waters, every stage of the polling exercise is an uphill task. However, we have taken every care”, added Mr. Srinivasa Rao.
In early 2024, then Kakinada Collector Krithika Shukla ready the election plan for Hope Island as really helpful by the Andhra Pradesh Election Commission. The Election Commission has additionally deputed a particular officer whose activity is to conduct the ballot with none untoward incident.
The island will go to the ballot on May 13. The election staff ought to arrive on the island on the earlier night time. Guarded by the safety personnel, it’s anticipated to reach onshore on the night time of May 13 by finishing their 10-kilometer crusing.
At current, the touchdown of vacationer boats is restricted as no tourism exercise is being allowed. On the opposite hand, the breeding season of the olive ridley turtle is in progress.
District Forest Officer S. Bharani advised The Hindu, “We have prepared to provide every assistance sought by the District Collector for the election in Hope Island. We have already arranged a boat. The Collector has also inspected the route and the island. We are ready to meet the expectations of the officials. The Election Observers have also been monitoring the arrangements and location frequently.”
Rare company
Meanwhile, the island is ready for the uncommon company—the contestants within the fray within the Kakinada Rural Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies. The contestants in each segments seem to distance themselves from the marketing campaign on the island, given its small vote financial institution and administration of the crusing.
The 2024 elections additionally coincide with the annual 60-day fishing ban that got here into pressure on April 15. Most of the fisherfolk are homebound, whereas a number of enterprise into the ocean to fish on conventional boats surrounding their island.
The island serves as a pure barrier to guard Kakinada metropolis from calamities and performs a pivotal position within the operation of the ports. However, it doesn’t seem within the native manifesto of any political get together concerning its future. The concept of creating the island as a vacationer vacation spot has but to see the sunshine of day.