Jaleswar: Naudah, a huge lake, was once a ‘lifeline’ for people in Rajpur panchayat under Jaleswar block of Balasore. But, now, it is gasping for breath as the government is making no effort to renovate the water body to make it useful for the people.
Though, at different times in the past, the government had made some efforts for its development, the plans had not moved beyond official files. While we have been crying for lake’s renovation, it is held up under red-tape, lamented some locals. If the water body is restored, it can be used for drinking and agriculture purpose. But, sadly, nothing is being done, though many locals had pitched for its renovation to make it useful in multiple ways. Moreover, some people have encroached upon parts of the lake..
Spread over 91 acres, it is located on the bank of River Subarnarekha. The land belongs to the plot-1105 of khata-384 in ‘anabadi’ category. Legend has it that this water body was once part of Subarnarekha, because it is very close to the river. Over years, while the water body continued to bung up with silt, the river might have changed its course. Gradual encroachment of its land has reduced its area.
Till date, many people of nearby villages like Taribatpur, Chakrada, Jaleswarpur and Chalanti eke out their living by fishing in the lake.
Earlier, fishing in the sprawling water body was a major activity for people in Olinda, Balarmpur, Rajpur, Mohammednagar patina, Rajghag, Tambakhuri, Ganmardha, Bandhamundi and Gadighaghi.
But now, the lake seems to have lost its existence with wild weeds, creepers and hyacinth covering its surface.
Seven years ago, some people of the area had drawn the attention of then animal husbandry and fishery minister Damodar Rout to the sorry state of the water body and appealed to him through Bhograi MLA and present Higher Education Minister Anant Das to make the water body useful for fishery.
Dr Rout had even sent the proposal to the top fishery officials and the then commissioner of the department. A survey on its condition was also conducted.
Later, an NGO, Surabhi of Rasgobindapur area in Mayurbhanj district, had evinced interest in taking over the lake. After holding talks with the administration and some local leaders, the NGO planned fish breeding in a scientific way and supply fingerlings to north Orissa and West Bengal.
The then ADM had looked into the proposal and people’s views on the use of the pond December 17, 2013. However, the government wanted to use the water body for fish breeding and fishing through Cooperation Department. The project proposal was actively considered for the purpose.
The Commissioner of Fisheries Department Bishnupada Sethi and social activist Sudarshan Das had also visited the area. The experts had then observed that the fishing activity in the lake could yield at least Rs one crore per annum. PNN
