Chhatrapur: Fishermen from more than 11 villages under Chhatrapur and Ganjam blocks recently submitted a memorandum to the district administration Friday, urging immediate and permanent action to address the silt accumulation at the Rushikulya river mouth.
Additional District Magistrate Pramod Kumar Prusty received the letter on behalf of the Ganjam district magistrate.
The fishermen, who rely heavily on the river for their livelihood, requested excavation of the excessive silt deposits that have choked the river mouth, making fishing activities increasingly dangerous.
Villages including Prayagi, Kalrabadi, Siddhantnagar, Podampeta, Kantiagada, Gokharkuda, Purunabandha, Sana Nolianuagan, Bada Nolianuagan, Damodarpur and Kainchapur are severely affected.
Due to the sediment buildup, there is little to no space left for river water to flow into the sea.
During high tide, the reduced velocity of the river water worsens the situation, making fish ingress difficult and fishing nearly impossible.
The fishermen also highlighted the rising number of deaths caused by accidents related to the hazardous conditions at the river mouth.
Many families have lost their primary breadwinners and received no government compensation, particularly those from the Dhibar fishing community, who are not covered under existing relief schemes.
The memorandum also requested the district administration to provide insurance coverage for fishermen and initiate immediate excavation work to restore safe fishing routes and improve livelihood opportunities.
Many fishermen have been forced to migrate to states like Goa and Tamil Nadu in search of more stable income sources.
PNN
