Odisha News, Odisha Latest news, Odisha Daily - OrissaPOST
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Timeout
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • Others
    • COVID-19
    • Today’s Pic
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Timeout
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • Others
    • COVID-19
    • Today’s Pic
No Result
View All Result
OrissaPOST - Odisha Latest news, English Daily -
No Result
View All Result

Diversion of Kharasrota water will cause irreversible damage to Bhitarkanika: Activists

PTI
Updated: September 3rd, 2021, 20:38 IST
in State
0
File pic

File pic

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on Linkedin

Kendrapara: The diversion of water from the Kharasrota river system in Kendrapara district for a proposed mega drinking water project will adversely affect the fragile mangrove ecosystem in the Bhitarkanika National Park, green activists warned Friday.

The Bhitarkanika forests, the second largest mangrove ecosystem in the country, are now under severe threat due to the planned diversion of freshwater from the Brahmani river basin, environment activist Biswajit Mohanty said in a statement.

Mohanty, the secretary of environment group Wildlife Society of Odisha, alleged that the state government had ignored the need to conserve the wetland for posterity even as it is a notified Ramsar Convention site.

The proposed Rs 892-crore project will draw water from Kharasrota, a tributary of the Brahmani river, for piped supply to neighbouring Bhadrak district, where the groundwater is heavily saline.

The project has triggered vehement protests across Kendrapara district for a month. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Balakati, Bharigada and Barunadiha panchayats in Rajkanika block till October 8.

Residents of Rajkanika, 125 km from Bhubaneswar, are demanding scrapping of the project over fears that the diversion would lead to the depletion of water levels in Kharasrota and a severe shortage of water for agrarian requirements in the region, where people are entirely dependent on agriculture.

Officials of the Rural Water and Sanitation Scheme, however, insist that the project, which requires 105 million litres of water per day, would only result in the diversion of less than four per cent of the water inflow of the river.

Kendrapara Sub-collector Niranjan Behera dismissed the apprehensions as “unfounded”.

Mohanty pointed out that the water diversion from the Rengali canals continued to pose a perceptible threat to the Bhitarkanika mangroves, adding that the diversion of water from Kharasrota would trigger irreversible damage.

The mangrove forests, spread over 195 sq km, have a high level of biodiversity since 62 of the world’s 73 mangrove species are found there. It is also the breeding place for endangered saltwater crocodiles.

The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which forms the boundary in the east, attracts the world’s largest population of olive ridley sea turtles for nesting.

Without the mangroves, the Gahirmatha sanctuary will become a “marine desert” and lose its richness and diversity, Mohanty said.

Hemant Kumar Rout, secretary of the Gahirmatha Marine Turtle and Mangrove Conservation Society, said mangrove is the protective barrier of the region against cyclones and tidal surges.

Rout asserted that the diversion of water would definitely lead to the depletion of water table.

It will affect mangrove ecosystem of Bhitarkanika and its flora and fauna, the activist told PTI.

Mohanty, meanwhile, underlined that after Farakka Barrage in West Bengal was commissioned, the Sundarbans mangrove forests were drastically affected.

In Bhitarkanika, the situation will be catastrophic for the mangroves in a bad year of monsoon, according to Mohanty.

Lack of normal flow of freshwater will increase the saline ingression upstream, affecting the local flora and fauna, as well as the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk dependent upon the Brahmani and Kharasrota river systems, he said.

Mohanty expressed apprehension of a quantum jump in man-crocodile conflict since the estuarine crocodiles would leave the core sanctuary area and migrate upstream once the salinity increases.

The state government is yet to reveal how it plans to ensure adequate flow of fresh water in the Kharasrota and Brahmani rivers that feed Bhitarkanika once the Rengali canals start drawing water.

Mohanty suggested that the state government should consider Hadgarh reservoir on the Salandi river or the newly-built Kanpur barrage on the Baitarani river as potential sources to meet the requirements of Bhadrak.

The “ecological flow” of freshwater to ensure the health of mangroves of Bhitarkanika should be maintained, the activist said.

PTI 

Tags: BhitarkanikaKendraparaKharasrota
ShareTweetSendShare
Suggest A Correction

Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox.

Related Posts

Naba Das

Naba Das’ personal security officer Mitrabhanu Deo suspended

February 1, 2023
Naba Kishore Das,

Naba Das assassination: Odisha govt transfers SP, SDPO

February 1, 2023
Representational Photo

Brown sugar worth Rs 27 lakh seized, one drug dealer held

February 1, 2023
Arrested

Gujarat police arrests Malkangiri govt school teacher

February 1, 2023
Suicide

Girl dies by suicide in Gajapati district

February 1, 2023
Man awarded life term for fratricide

Youth gets 10 years in prison for rape

February 1, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

OrissaPOST epaper Sunday POST OrissaPOST epaper

Click Here: Plastic Free Odisha

Plastic Free Odisha

Sports Person Sradhanjali Samantaray

Sports Personality Sradhanjali Samantaray support a *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie (with fingers ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Bargarh Ranapratap High School students

Bargarh Ranapratap High School students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Valena Valentina-Karate Player

Karate player Valena Valentina calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Naveen Jindal-Enterpreneur

Naveen Jindal support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you?  *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Members of All Ride Bicycle

Members of All Ride Bicycle supports a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Swaraj Barik, Actor

Swaraj Barik calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our website www.orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Cuttack New Stewart School Students & Principal

Cuttack New Stewart School students and Principal call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our website ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Hinjili Police

Hinjili Police support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your Photos/Selfie ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Miteish Khimji,Entrepreneur

Miteish Khimji supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Srikumar Misra-Entrepreneur

Srikumar Misra supports a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Odisha Rajya Rogi Adhikar Mancha & Mangalabagh International Club workers

Odisha Rajya Rogi Adhikar Mancha & Mangalabagh International Club Workers support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Cuttack College NCC students

Cuttack College NCC students support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Puri SCS College Students

Puri SCS College Students support a plastic free odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Scoutmaster, Guide Captains, Rovers, and Rangers of Keonjhar

Scoutmaster, Guide Captains, Rovers, and Rangers of Keonjhar support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Gandhi College Plus III science students of Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar

Gandhi Plus III science students of Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar support a plastic free Odisha. Do you?   *Visit our website orissapost.com. ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Unit III Bharat Scouts and Guide

Unit III Bharat Scouts and Guides team call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our website ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

High school students of Sambalpur district

High school students of Sambalpur district support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Olympian Dutee Chand

Olympian Dutee Chand calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

National School Kujang

National School students Kujang Jagatsinghpur district support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Balibil Nodal School students

Balibil Nodal School students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Bridge school students

Bridge school students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post your ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Actor Sritam Das

Actor Sritam Das supports a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Students of Tulasipur Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Cuttack

Students of Tulasipur Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Cuttack call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you support the movement? *Visit our ...

August 29, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Bhubaneswar Bar Association Lawyer Liberty Trust

Bhubaneswar Bar Association Lawyer Liberty Trust supports plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

IMT Pharmacy College-Puri

IMT Pharmacy College students call for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Debashish Mohanty-Former Indian Cricketer

Cricketer Debashish Mohanty supports  a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Sundargarh Public School teachers

Sundargarh Public School teachers support a plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Kalamatia Sahid Bidyapitha students

Kalamatia Sahid Bidyapitha students support plastic free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) *Post ...

October 2, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

Padmashree Aruna Mohanty-Odissi Dancer

Padmashree Odissi Dancer Aruna Mohanty calls for a Plastic Free Odisha. Have You Joined the movement? *Visit our website orissapost.com. ...

August 30, 2018
Plastic Free Odisha

BJB Autonomous College-Bhubaneswar

BJB Autonomous college students support a Plastic Free Odisha. Do you? *Visit our website orissapost.com. Like,Share,Subscribe,Recommend our Facebook Page Orissapost(@OrissaPOST.Here.Now) ...

August 30, 2018

Archives

Editorial

Tel Aviv Tightrope

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry hold a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, January 30, 2023. (PC: AP)
February 1, 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s ongoing visit to Israel is taking place in a period of intense crisis aggravated...

Read more

Ukraine’s Twin Wars

Local residents remove debris from a house of their neighbour damaged by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Hlevakha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine [Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters]
January 31, 2023

As military and humanitarian aid worth billions of dollars keep pouring into Ukraine during its ongoing war against Russia, there...

Read more

Now Adani

Adani Group
January 30, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion in Rajasthan January 28 that several attempts were made to “break India geographically, culturally, socially...

Read more

Where’s Govt Action?

January 29, 2023

Readers may be familiar with the fall in the Adani group’s share prices last week. Indian investors were reacting to...

Read more
  • Home
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Sports
  • Sci-Tech
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Career
Developed By Ratna Technology

© 2020 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST

  • Home
  • Metro
  • State
  • National
  • International
  • IPL
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • Sci-Tech
  • COVID-19
  • Today’s Pic
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Career
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2020 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST