Jagatsinghpur: Some ponds in Jagatsinghpur have already dried up and the water level of some other ponds and water bodies has been reducing drastically, according to reports.
With the temperature in Jagatsinghpur hovering between 31 and 34 degree Celsius, people and animals are set for a tough time ahead.
The district administration would make some announcements to tackle the water scarcity problems every summer, but many of them would not be implemented.
It has been pointed out in meetings and seminars that massive afforestation and resurrection of water bodies could help reduce temperature.
But the Forest Department and the industrial houses here are reportedly siphoning off lakhs of rupees in the name of planting trees, locals alleged.
There are many small and large industries in Paradip. As per government guidelines, these industries have to develop green coverage on 33 per cent of their total acquired land. But this norm has been flouted with impunity.
Pollution in this port town has crossed all limits. People’s anger is mounting as neither the district administration nor the industries are taking any measures to reduce pollution.
The demonstration staged by the Paradip Parivesh Suraksha Committee at the regional office of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board February 20 was a reflection of this pent up anger.
Jagatsinghpur Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar had intervened in the issue and assured that steps would be taken within a week’s time.
Paradip Parivesh Suraksha Committee President Ayaskant Ray said, “The meeting with the Collector is successful. Priority has been given to our three demands.”
“Basically, more focus was given on the formation of Suraksha Committee. This committee will be instrumental in alleviating the problems,” he added.
Some local residents pointed out that the district administration hardly took steps on companies to make them abide by the rules.
The renovation work of several tanks, including Radhamadhabjew tank at Madhapur under ward no -5 in Jagatsinghpur, has not been carried out properly.
The pond near Deuli Grameswari temple is silted up. Its renovation work has also not progressed beyond the floating of tender for its boundary wall.
The pond at Barik sahi is almost filled up due to lack of renovation. Same is the fate of ponds near Muchukund Somnath temple and Sarbangasundari temple in ward no -2.
The other ponds facing similar problems are Bidhei pokhari at Mukundapur village and Kaniar pond at Kheras.
People use the pond at Behera sahi in ward number 18 for various purposes. Basically, the death rituals are being performed here but the water level of this pond had been reducing drastically.
Some buildings have come up in the places of certain ponds.
Last year, the state government sent letters to municipality and NACs to take control of all the ponds in the town. But no action has yet been taken in this regard.
PNN
