Cuttack: A day after drawing flak from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over arrangement of Bali Yatra on Mahanadi riverbank, Cuttack district administration Wednesday put a blanket ban on allocation of plots to traders on the bank.
Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra convened a high-level meeting to deliberate on the NGT order which had asked the district administration against organising Bali Yatra on the riverbank. The green body had expressed concern over water pollution due to the annual fair.
“We may approach the judiciary on the issue. The administration will seek Advocate General’s advice over hosting Bali Yatra trade fair on Mahanadi banks. Officials have been instructed to stop allocation of plots at the Bali Yatra ground,” said Mishra.
According to sources, the district administration will face difficulties organising Bali Yatra this year in view of the restrictions imposed on using the riverbank for the purpose.
‘‘The administration may consider cancelling this year’s Bali Yatra if there is shortage of space for the fair,” said an officer on conditions of anonymity.
The traditional trade fair commemorates ancient Oriya mariners’ trade relations with distant islands of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural expansion. The traders of yore set sails in large vessels called Boitas.
Bali Jatra is also associated with Taapoi and rituals like Bhalukuni Osha or Khudurukuni Osha. Taapoi recalls traditional memories of young maidens waiting for the return of their sailor brothers. To commemorate this, the festival is celebrated every year from the day of Kartika Purnima, as per Hindu almanac.
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