Post News Network
Chandbali, June 12: Increasing prawn farming in this block of Bhadrak district has choked the Chhatra jora (creek), which has branched out of river Mantei. The seven kilometer-creek meanders through many parts of the block.
It was once an important source of water for irrigation for scores of farmers in Nachhipur, Dhirasahi, Uttara Sahi, Anandpur, Mantapada and Dadhibamanpur mouza of Panchutikiri panchayat.
However, now the farmers do not get enough water from the creek which is dying gradually, alleged locals.
They said the width of the creek was 400 metre at several places, but influential persons have occupied its major portion by setting up prawn gherries.
With the increasing number of the gherries, the width of the creek has been reduced to 30-40 metre at several places, locals said.
Earlier, the creek was under the revenue department, but it was handed over to water resources department in 1992. A sluice gate also was set up by the department to control flood waters.
Locals alleged the prawn farmers have contaminated the water of the creek by using chemicals and other harmful substances to boost production.
The water of the creek also mixes with river Mantei and is responsible for the death of the fishes in the river, they added.
Locals have demanded removal of the gherries from the creek. Recently, Panchutikiri sarpanch Yashmin Nayak, former sarpanch Anil Nayak, Amiya Dhal, Sanjib Nayak and several other villagers met the district collector, sub-collector, Chandbali tehsildar and the BDO in this regard.