Aradi: Rampant mining and lack of proper management of mining waste have taken a heavy toll on river Baitarani, its tributaries, streams and creeks in Keonjhar district.
The MB Shah Commission, which had probed the multi-crore mining scam, had pointed out pollution of water bodies in its report. He had suggested preventive measures to check mining triggered pollution of water bodies.
The Commission report said that not only Baitarani, but other natural water bodies like Karo, Dalki, Sona, Samij creek, Murga, Khatkhai, Jalapa, Kakarapani, Mahdeo, Balita, Kangara, Painchakundi and Marda are being polluted.
Mining and industrial units are also using river water for commercial purposes while agriculture has been hit by the shortage of water in the river.
BRPL, ESSAR, Tata Steels, Jindal, and Rungta were accused of using the river water excessively and causing shortage. During summer many riverbeds are totally dry raising concern.
But no action is being taken to check mining-induced pollution of rivers and streams. Ecologists and the public are deeply worried about the issue. Soil erosion and the release of mining waste into the river have impacted its water retaining capacity.
There is need for planting trees along riverbanks and for banning the dumping of mining waste on the banks, environmentalists said.
Thousands of people living along the Baitarani’s banks use its waters for irrigation and for drinking. The river’s water indirectly nurtures greenery nearby.
But the river’s depth is declining due to siltation caused mainly by soil erosion and the dumping of mining waste.
There are 56 mines in the Baitarani basin. Most of them are generating pollution and reducing the depth of the riverbed.
Social activists and environmentalists have being raising their voice against this, but nothing is being done to address their concerns. They said the situation is now turning worse.
Many companies have been illegally drawing water from the river and streams, which had led to disputes in the past.
“Around 65 streams and creeks flow into the Baitarani. Many of these streams carry polluted water into the river. This has angered locals. There is a need to protect the river and its streams,” said environmentalist Harekrushna Mohant.
“Although companies have been directed to take steps to check the pollution of rivers they are not doing anything in this regard,” said Kiran Shanakar Sahu, president of Nagarika Manch, a local outfit.
Pushkar Behera, an official of the State Pollution Control Board’s office in Keonjhar, said steps are being taken to check pollution in the river.
“Routine examinations of the river water are being carried out. This problem will be solved soon with public cooperation,” he added.
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