KENDRAPADA: A large number of local residents on Tuesday opposed the proposed Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Invest Region (PCPIR) project in Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts.
During a public hearing, organised by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board at Mahakalapada, the locals said the project would cause to harm to the rivers and mangrove forests besides affecting their livelihood. Land owners, government officials and officials of Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation also attended the meeting.
Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur are surrounded by mangrove forests, which guard the districts during natural disasters and offer shelter to rare animal species. “Any change in the region’s water flow regime will damage the forests, causing negative impact on the two districts,” said environmentalist Kshitish Kumar Singh.
As per an Environmental Impact Assessment report, the project would require 620 million litres of freshwater per day from the Mahanadi. “There is no concrete data in the report about decreased down flow of water in the river, sustainability of mangrove forests in the Mahanadi delta region, the project’s impact on Bhitarkanika National Park and on the life of saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, fishes and other aquatic organisms,” added Singh.
“The government has no right to take away our land. The authorities are trying to snatch the livelihood of around 2,00,000 farmers and over 10,000 fishermen of this region,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.
During a public hearing, organised by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board at Mahakalapada, the locals said the project would cause to harm to the rivers and mangrove forests besides affecting their livelihood. Land owners, government officials and officials of Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation also attended the meeting.
Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur are surrounded by mangrove forests, which guard the districts during natural disasters and offer shelter to rare animal species. “Any change in the region’s water flow regime will damage the forests, causing negative impact on the two districts,” said environmentalist Kshitish Kumar Singh.
As per an Environmental Impact Assessment report, the project would require 620 million litres of freshwater per day from the Mahanadi. “There is no concrete data in the report about decreased down flow of water in the river, sustainability of mangrove forests in the Mahanadi delta region, the project’s impact on Bhitarkanika National Park and on the life of saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, fishes and other aquatic organisms,” added Singh.
“The government has no right to take away our land. The authorities are trying to snatch the livelihood of around 2,00,000 farmers and over 10,000 fishermen of this region,” said Narayan Haldar, president of the Odisha Masyajibi Forum.