July 29, 2025

In a significant move concerning the protection of religious land, Joint Collector T. Nishanthi convened a meeting with relevant officials on Tuesday to discuss the urgent resurvey of 895 acres belonging to the Sri Lakhsmi Narasimha Swamy temple located in Antarvedi within the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. This land, which spans over several villages including Kesavadasunipalem, Antarvedi, Srungavarapadu, and Gondi in the Razole Assembly constituency, has been the subject of encroachment and illegal conversion over the years. Nishanthi emphasized the importance of the resurvey to safeguard the temple's land from potential encroachments. The land is strategically situated between the Bay of Bengal, the Godavari River, and the Antarvedi mangroves, making it a valuable ecological and cultural asset. Reports have indicated that portions of the temple land have been transformed into aquaculture ponds over the past decade, which prompted the need for this urgent survey to ensure the preservation of this vital land. During the review meeting, officials from different departments including Endowment, Revenue, Survey, and Land Records were present to discuss the roadmap for the survey process. Ms. Nishanthi directed them to complete the survey efficiently and promptly, highlighting that protecting the temple’s land from encroachments is a priority. In addition to the resurvey, officials were tasked with investigating the extent of temple land that has already been leased to local inhabitants. Initial assessments suggest that by 2025, approximately 726 acres of temple land have been leased out to locals, many of whom have converted these parcels into aquaculture farms and coconut plantations. "The resurvey of the temple land must be prioritized to safeguard it against further encroachments. We will be reviewing all pertinent documents, including legal agreements and claims filed by the Endowment Department, during our next meeting on August 5," stated Ms. Nishanthi. Accompanying the Joint Collector in this crucial meeting were District Revenue Officer Rajakumari and Endowment Department Assistant Commissioner V. Satyanarayana, along with Survey and Land Records Assistant Director A.D.K. Prabhakar, and other key officials. Their collective commitment to restoring and protecting the temple land signifies the ongoing effort by local authorities to uphold the integrity of such culturally significant sites in Andhra Pradesh. The outcome of this resurvey could have profound implications for the local community, the temple's heritage, and environmental concerns surrounding land use in coastal regions. As efforts continue to prevent illegal land conversions, the actions taken in the coming months will reflect the government’s commitment to preserving its cultural and environmental assets.

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Tags: Sri lakhsmi narasimha swamy temple, Land survey, Encroachment, Aquaculture, Andhra pradesh,