Illegal prawn gheries killing bio-diversity in Kendrapara

Mahakalapara: Even as prawn farming has led to destruction of bio-diversity under this block in Kendrapara district due to discharge of toxic water from the prawn gheries, the state government has failed to act against the wrongdoers, a report said.

Reports said illegal prawn gheries have mushroomed in various coastal pockets of Kendrapara district due to high profit margins in the business.

However, mushrooming of the gheries has led to destruction of wildlife, green cover and aggravated soil erosion in the region due to discharge of toxic effluents from the gherries.

Keeping these things in mind, the Orissa High Court had directed the district administration to intensify the eviction of illegal prawn gheries in coastal pockets of the district.

However, the district administration except for demolishing a few gheries in Suniti panchayat four months back, has not done much in this regard.

It was alleged that the district administration had launched an eviction drive of prawn gheries but abandoned it midway after big prawn farmers opposed the move.

Speculations are rife that the district administration abandoned its move after political leaders intervened in the matter due to upcoming panchayat elections.

Locals alleged that demolition of prawn gheries at a time when panchayat elections were round the corner might result in adverse results. They will also rob them of donations they get from prawn gheries owners.

They allegedly intervened in the matter and stopped the demolition of gheries.

Sources said the High Court in a special order had directed the district administration to prepare a video of the demolition of gheries on government lands and seizure of all equipment used in the gheries and store them in a separate place under the custody of officials.

However, it has done much in implementation of the order.

Reports said hundreds of prawn gheries have mushroomed in remote regions of Batighara, Kharinasi, Ramnagar, Baulakani, Petachhela Jambu, Suniti, Nanjura, Badidhi, Kansargad, Dandua, Gagua panchayats of the block by encroaching upon government and forest lands.

The prawn farmers after harvesting the prawns transport them in large commercial vehicles to Paradip, Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Kolkata and export them outside the country.

Toxic effluents discharged from these gheries flow into the rivers and sea and result in destruction of wildlife and green cover in forests.

Toxic chemicals have also speeded up the soil erosion in the area and turned them barren leading to loss of livelihood by farmers.

Farmlands adjoining the prawn gheries are the worst-hit, alleged farmers Babaji Behera, Sarat Samal, Aniruddha Swain and Basant Behera. They are facing loss of livelihood and crops.

As a result, many of the farmers are forced to migrate in search of alternative livelihood.

When contacted, Mahakalapara tehsildar Soubhagya Ranjan Panda said demolition of illegal prawn gheries would be intensified.

PNN