Keonjhar: Laying of slurry and other pipelines along National Highway-20 close to the Atei reserve forest under Ghatagaon forest range and Keonjhar forest division has seriously affected the movement of wildlife including elephants in the area. Reports said that the works had been implemented during the night for years. This has seriously impeded the movement of wild animals as most prefer to come out at night due to prevailing silence and tranquility in the area. Rule debars that no construction can be carried out after sunset if there is a jungle nearby.
However, the consultancy agencies are laying the slurry pipelines at night with impunity in complete violation of norms. Local residents have demanded a probe and legal action against the agencies. Environmentalists and nature lovers also apprehend that laying of slurry pipelines may also affect the water flow in Kukurkata nullah, a perennial water body in the area.
Moreover, pipeline works are not only affecting the movement of animals but also destroying the green cover in the area. The implementing agencies are digging up pits for laying the pipelines which are proving hazardous for wild animals during their movement. This has sparked sharp resentment among the locals as the pipeline laying work, which is being implemented on the district’s main thoroughfare, has seen inordinate delays.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has been sitting pretty and no legal action has been taken against the concerned consultancy agencies so far. Sources said the movement of elephants and other animals in Atei reserve forest has become regular at a time when the district has seen a rise in elephant menace. The jumbo herds are often spotted crossing the NH-20 while moving from one jungle to another. The elephants and other animals are finding it difficult to move at night with the slurry pipeline works being carried out from Pipilia Melan area to Kolimati area on NH-20 roadside adjoining the reserve forest.
This apart, the Forest Department recently claimed the presence of a Royal Bengal Tiger in Atei reserve forest. Leopards and several other animals in the forest are often seen crossing the highway. Night-time work is creating deafening noise while bright lights being used for the same is also affecting the free movement of the animals at night. Sources said that the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) counted the number of trees along the NH after being permitted by the Forest Department. Later, trees were identified and chopped down to make way for slurry pipelines.
However, whether new trees are being chopped down while the work is in progress is yet to be ascertained. The forest officials are neither monitoring works nor carrying out patrolling at night for which they are unable to see the laying of pipelines at night. When contacted, ACF Prabhat Kuanr of Ghatagaon range said that in the past an agency was pulled up for laying the pipelines at night. He, however, assured of action if the allegations are found true. Sanjiv Samal, a senior official of JSW said that the pipeline laying works of his company are not being done at night adding that it could be some other firm.
