Khantapada: Casuarinas in hundreds of acres along the coast of Bay of Bengal in Bahanaga block of Balasore district are facing ruin from lashing waves in the absence of protective measures by the forest department.
Locals blame the department for being lethargic in taking up measures for the protection of casuarinas. With sea erosion, people living in these pockets fear that in a few years the sea will engulf the villages.
Casuarinas act as protective walls against sea waves that erode the coast. Coastal erosion has been rampant at Bhilla, Atashpur, Rupakhand, Abhana, Barajadeuli, Talapada and other areas.
Years ago, the forest department had planted thousands of casuarinas in these areas for soil conservation and to protect human settlements from sea erosion.
The department had formed forest protection committees in these areas so that they can protect and maintain forests. The committees were also supposed to check tree felling and timber smuggling.
As per provision, the members of the committees were allowed to take only dry branches and leaves of the trees as their remuneration.
For lack of proper maintenance, casuarinas along a 200-metre wide coastal stretch have been washed away. This has quickened the coastal erosion process in these areas. Now, many nearby human settlements have become vulnerable to the sea onslaught. Over 40 casuarina trees were flattened by the lashing waves and gusty winds at Bhila Adia in Kalyani panchayat October 19.
Maa Umadevi, a forest protection committee member, had informed Talapada forester Sebanti Marandi and staff member of Balasore forest division, Upendra Beuria. October 22, the committee and forest staff had auctioned the tree for Rs 16,000, of which Rs 8,000 was to be paid to the forest protection committee as decided at a meeting.
Now, many want to know if the forest department just keeps on auctioning the fallen trees without growing new ones at the place.
Locals voiced their concern that due to destruction of forests, the sea is inching towards villages. They urged the forest department to create green belts along the coast immediately to check erosion.
Talapada forester Marandi said the department will create casuarina forest in time as per requirement. PNN
