Chhatrapur: People living in the villages under Aryapalli panchayat of Ganjam district are in a state of panic as sea water continues to ingress the shore posing threat to the localities, according to a report.
There were instances of water entering the human habitation in the past but at present it is eroding the beach which has become a major cause of worry for the people residing in Aryapalli, Sana Aryapalli, Katuru and Kandara.
Earlier, experts from the Union environment, forest and climate change ministry and the state forest and environment department visited the place to take stock of situation.
Dredging on seashore to extract ilmenite, a sand mineral, and construction of breakwater, an offshore structure made of stone packing to protect the harbour, inside the sea led to the water ingress, the experts said in their report.
Indian Rare Earths Limited has been dredging the sea beach to extract ilmenite while the breakwater has been set up inside the sea to convert Gopalpur Port into a permanent harbour.
The ingress of water has prevented them from anchoring their fishing boats on the beach, the fishermen alleged.
They face lot of problems in venturing into the sea for their living, the fishermen added, demanding before the administration to protect their livelihood. PNN
