Keeping hope for democracy alive on an island

Hope Island in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, faces unique challenges as a polling location in the upcoming elections.

HOPE ISLAND (Kakinada)

A dedicated team constituted of Central Armed Police Force personnel, wildlife authorities, and polling staff is set for a risky voyage in Kakinada Bay to conduct the polling in Hope Island, a tadpole-shaped sand spit formed a century ago off the Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh.  

Inhabited by as many as 50 fisherfolk families, the island is part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS). All the families here depend on fishing in the sea and earning a livelihood in small-scale fishing activity. 

The island has 319 voters including 145 male voters, 170 female voters and four new voters who enrolled this year.

The northern tip of the 16-kilometre-long island has been facing a threat of erosion owing to dredging activity being done for the operation of the Kakinada Deep Seaport and Anchorage ports. The island spreads over 6.17 square kilometers and one of the prime breeding ground for olive ridley turtles on the East Coast of India. 

 “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 told The Hindu. 

By mid-April, the Revenue and Wildlife authorities had sailed three times in Kakinada Bay. The boat also carried food materials to support the entire election team’s stay for two days, including a single night to conduct the poll.