Kendrapara: The state government’s announcement for establishment of the first riverine port in Mahanadi at Akhadashali village under Mahakalapara block here has sparked protests among fishermen and environmentalists with a few welcoming the decision, a report said Sunday.
A meeting presided by the Chief Minister at the Secretariat Saturday decided for establishment of riverine port on Mahanadi river mouth in the village at an estimated cost of Rs 2,110 crore in the first phase with two berths. The port shall be used for transportation of 18.43 million tonnes of cargo per annum.
However, the proposed port to be built under public-private partnership mode has raised more fears than hopes among the residents. While some welcomed the decision, the local fishermen and environmentalists have opposed the project. They have warned of launching an agitation and urged the government to rethink on the project.
Arjun Mandal, vice-president of the district fishery association, said the proposed port at Akhadashali will severely affect the lives and livelihood of over 30,000 fishermen dependent on Mahanadi, its distributaries and creeks for their survival.
This apart, the survival and growth of Hilsa fish as well as freshwater and saline fish, which are available aplenty in the area, will also be threatened. The presence of mangroves also is conducive for growth and survival of fish. The fish catch will greatly reduce after establishment of the port which will ultimately rob the fishermen of their jobs.
The proposal is not acceptable as the state government went for an announcement without seeking opinions of the local residents, Mandal said.
The establishment of the port will also result in loss of environment in the nearby Bhitarkanika National park, ecologist Hemant Kumar Rout said.
He said movement of ships in the proposed port will adversely affect the visit of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles to Gahirmatha, the world’s largest rookery of the turtles, which is at a short distance from the port site.
Besides, the port will destroy the mangroves which save the mainland by acting as a barrier against gusty winds, cyclonic storms and tidal waves. The state government making an announcement on the port without conducting a survey is unfortunate, he alleged.
Biswajit Mohanty, secretary, state wildlife society of Odisha, said three years back the Union forest and environment ministry had identified 192 villages in and around Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha as sensitive zone. Any project in the zone will threaten the existence of wildlife and marine creatures.
Pratap Chandra Mohanty, convener Mahakalapara Yuva Sangathan, termed the announcement as an election gimmick of the ruling party. He cited the 2009 announcement of Barunei port, the Rajgarh thermal power plant in 2014 as similar gimmicks as the projects are yet to see the light of the day.
However, Padmanabha Choudhury, president of Kendrapara Unnayan Parishad, Baradanga sarpanch Nirupama Jena, Ramnagar sarpanch Sailen Mandal have welcomed the decision which, according to the, will lead to economic growth in the district by providing livelihood opportunities directly and indirectly to over 15,000 people.
PNN
