Khaira: Even as people in many parts of Khaira in Balasore are facing an unprecedented water crisis, the government is allegedly making no efforts to revive a 300-year-old pond that is on the verge of disappearing altogether.
The Hadapokhari pond, a large water body located in Kupari under Khaira block in Balasore district, has now turned into a flatland after being subjected to several years of neglect. It is now being used as a pastureland by local grazers, it is learnt.
According to reports, Kupari is a tourist spot in Balasore. The huge Hadapokhari pond is said to be witness to 300 years of history of the area. Locals said as the pond was not renovated, it has dried up over the years and is now being used as a pastureland.
Prior to 1948, Kupari was part of the Nilagiri royal estate. Kings used to come on hunting expeditions to the area. During their stay here, they would collect revenues and talk to locals regarding their problems. One of the kings had spotted a stream cascading down from the Sarisua hill and flowing to the south of Kupari village.
The king then thought of building a dam at the spot to store water which can be used for irrigation. Later, a massive pond was built for the purpose. The stream water stored in the pond proved to be highly useful for both people and animals. The pond was built over a sprawling location of 10 acres at that time.
Over the years, however, the pond continued to grow shallow due to years of deposit of silt with people encroaching upon it. Now, the pond’s area has come down to seven or eight acres, say locals adding that it has lost its water retaining capacity.
Locals said during summer, they have to suffer a lot due to a scarcity of water as the water table plummets down to a depth of 100 to 150 ft. Though some tube wells work, they mostly pump up muddy water which is not fit for human consumption. Villages such as Gadapokhari, Guapala, Gagua and Bhudeishula are forced to bear the brunt of the severe water scarcity during summer. Locals have been complaining about the water shortage over the years, but nothing has been done to sort out the problem.
“The groundwater level will rise if the pond is renovated. Besides, the pond will be of great use for both animals and humans,” said Sarat Kumar Biswal, a local resident.
In 2009-10, an initiative was taken for renovation of the pond at a cost of Rs 3 lakh when Jyotnarani Das was sarpanch, but it failed to yield any result.
Former ZP member Gajendra Das said more funds should be utilised for the pond in order to convert it into a water harvesting project and make use of the stream water.
Jayanta Rout, vice-chairman of Khaira block, said there are plans to renovate the pond under MGNREGS next year.
Umesh Chandra Mohanty, a local, said people of 15 villages in its periphery will benefit from the pond if it is renovated.
Local trader Surendra Panda said renovation of the pond will add value to the tourism spot of Kupari. “The administration and political leaders should come forward to renovate the pond,” he added. PNN