Khandapada: With repeated appeals to government and local administration falling in deaf ears; and the sole waterbody near their villages in smithereens, a bunch of youngsters have joined hands to renovate the large Akurasar pond near Balaramprasad village in Sidhamula panchayat under Khandapada block of Nayagarh.
As of now, about 20 young men from Balaramprasad village are doing everything they can including working round the clock to renovate the pond on their own.
Measuring nearly 2.5 kilomteres in length and 300 metres in width, this large pond, also known as Akurabandha Sar by locals was created by Mahanadi flood water and used to be the main source of water for nearby villages such as Sidhamula, Ghodamaridwar and Balaramprasad. Besides, local fishermen also used to earn their livelihood by fishing from this water body.
Without cleaning and renovation, however, it is currently covered with algae; its water unusable and its environment acting as a breeding place for mosquitoes and snakes.
“People no longer use this water. They fear they might develop skin problems, if they do so. Fear of snakes has also kept them at bay. The pond has virtually been turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” observed a few villagers including Golekh Lenka, Narayan Rout and Sanatan Lenka who are among the few young men to have started work on the renovation of the pond.
When asked about what prompted them to take the task up on their own shoulders, another bunch of young men including Bhaskar Patra, Shreekant Rout, Pintu Patra and Chittaranjan Das among others — who were busy at their work in water — said, “We are tired of fake assurances from leaders and administration. Five elections are gone. Several promises have been made, but when it comes to implementation of their promises, these leaders are conspicuous by their absence.”
That said, the good part is, more and more number of people from the locality are associating themselves with the cause and extending their helping hands to this group of first movers.
The villagers alleged that back in July 2009, after receiving their complaint, the then Collector Paresh Chandra Nayak had visited the pond. He also had sanctioned funds for its renovation. However, given the present condition, how the money was spent is better left to imagination.
The condition of the pond — a lifeline of many villages here – might just be the reason for mass agitation in coming days, they said.
PNN
