Puri: The Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority (OCZMA) has declared two sweet water zones in the Pilgrim City as specially protected areas and put several restrictions on drawing water by sinking bore wells and tube wells.
State additional chief secretary-cum-OCZMA chairperson has issued a notice in this regard to district collector, city municipal body and Puri-Konark Development Authority (PKDA) September 16. The OCZMA declaration on sweet water zones in the Holy City came after the eastern zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressed concern over rapid encroachment on these sensitive areas.
According to the OCZMA norms, drawing water from sweet water zones at Baliapanda (207 acre) and Talabania (448 acre) without the consent of competent authority is illegal. The authority has also banned sale, purchase and lease of plots close to the sweet water zones.
Moreover, the OCZMA has put restrictions on any kind of construction activity on these sensitive zones and asked the district administration to demolish the illegal structures, claimed an affidavit submitted by the state government before the NGT Tuesday.
The Chief Secretary, Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), city civic body, PKDA and state Sewerage Board submitted separate affidavits before the NGT in connection with a case filed by Subhas Datt of Kolkata.
In its affidavit, the state government claimed that rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory in the Holy City. Similarly, it also claimed that restrictions have been imposed on organisation of fairs and events on the city beach.
City’s municipal body told the NGT that steps are being taken to repair a defunct crematorium at Swargadwar cremation ground. The OSPCB informed the green body that it has asked the municipal authorities to improve solid waste management system in the city.
The tribunal, meanwhile, asked the state sewerage board to take immediate steps to check the release of untreated sewage into the sea.
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