Baliapal, June 1: The historic Coast Canal, built during the British Raj, has lost its existence at many places under this block in Balasore district due to encroachments and mushrooming growth of prawn gherries, a report said.
While the canal has become shallow at places due to siltation, prawn gherries have blocked the passage of water, causing water-logging in nearby farmlands.
Meanwhile, upset over the problem, local farmers have warned of an agitation if no step is taken to clear the canal’s bed for smooth drainage of water.
According to reports, the canal originates from Jamkunda lock near Baliapal and passes through Balasore before ending at Taladanda in Bhadrak district. During high tide, sea water enters the canal through river Subarnarekha.
Over the years, over 100 prawn gherries have come up on both sides of the canal, obstructing water flow in the canal. This has led to water-logging problems for farmers in Madhupura and Solasha Pantha.
In the rain season, thousands of acres of farmland get waterlogged when water fails to drain out through the choked canal passage, the farmers said. Water-logging in farmlands for days together damages crops every year, they added.
As no step is being taken for drainage of water from farmlands, discontent is brewing among the affected farmers, who have warned of an agitation in the coming days.
“As long as water-logging problem persists, people cannot hope for sarada paddy cultivation,” they lamented.
Though provisions under Orissa Coast Canal Act prohibit any kind of construction and excavation activities along the banks of the canal, the prawn mafia has grabbed land and constructed gherries. They have cut both sides of the canal to channelise saline water into their ponds.
Farmers alleged though revenue officials are well aware of this fact, the latter are sitting pretty.
Besides, supply of saline water from the canal to ponds has affected the soil in the peripheral farmlands. The mafia has reportedly grabbed government land, pastureland, creeks and streams in Jambhirai, Bolang Panchupalli and Jamkunda panchayats.
At some places, prawn farmers have taken land on a lease, but acquired vast patches in its surrounding areas.
For the last two years, the irrigation department and the drainage division have started excavation of the canal at many places, which has suited prawn farmers who get more saline water for their ponds.
Farmer leaders Ananta Jena, Nityananda Patra, Ananta Rout, Arabinda Behera, Gangadhar Chanda, Manmath Patra, Prabhakar Parida and Kushadhwaja Jena said if the drainage division and the revenue department take no steps in this direction, they will be forced to take to streets.
Tehsildar Jitendra Jena said necessary action will be taken in case of prawn gherries only after an on-the-spot inquiry.
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