Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, October 1, 2026 (Journalist File) : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forest and Environment Pawan Kalyan on Thursday directed aqua processing and pre-processing units across the state to strictly comply with pollution-control standards, warning that unchecked industrial activity that damages the environment and contaminates natural water sources would not be tolerated.
During a review meeting at his camp office in Mangalagiri with representatives of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Andhra Pradesh region, Pawan Kalyan examined environmental compliance by aqua processing and pre-processing units and stressed that industrial development must go hand in hand with protection of water resources and ecosystems.
“Industries have a responsibility to protect the environment. No one has the right to pollute natural water resources,” Pawan Kalyan said, emphasizing that pollution should be prevented at its source rather than addressed after damage has occurred.
According to a report presented by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board member secretary, the state has 128 aqua processing and pre-processing units. Samples were collected and tested from 82 units, of which 49 were found to be non-compliant with prescribed environmental standards.
The report highlighted significant variations in biochemical oxygen demand, or BOD, in several non-compliant units. Against the prescribed limit of 30 milligrams per litre, levels as high as 321 milligrams per litre were recorded. About 64 percent of the units tested recorded BOD levels above 90 milligrams per litre, according to the report.
Total suspended solids, or TSS, were also found to be above permissible levels in some units. The highest reported level was 365 milligrams per litre against the prescribed limit of 50 milligrams per litre. Officials said such discharges could have serious consequences for water resources.
Pawan Kalyan directed officials to ensure that wastewater generated by aqua processing activities does not contaminate rivers, canals, ponds, estuaries, groundwater or other natural water bodies. He said these resources are critical to people's livelihoods, agriculture, fisheries and the wider ecological system.
He instructed authorities to test compliance at aqua processing units once every 15 days and submit regular monitoring reports. The minister also asked industry representatives to bring technical or operational difficulties in implementing environmental standards to the government's attention so that appropriate solutions could be examined.
Pawan Kalyan said the government was committed to sustainable industrial development while protecting the environment and conserving water resources. He proposed a joint meeting involving representatives of the fisheries sector, aqua processing units and other stakeholders to address industry-related concerns and work toward a balance between environmental compliance and sustainable growth of the processing sector.
Representatives of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Andhra Pradesh region, including regional president K. Anand Kumar, regional secretary D. Dileep, and vice-presidents U. Jogi Varma, Thota Jagadeesh and I. Suryarao, attended the meeting.
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