PARADIP:The fast-depleting sand near Jatadhar river mouth due to frequent dredging has posed a serious threat to seaside villages in the district.The sand heaps, which prevented entry of tidal waves into seaside villages, are on the verge of disappearing due to frequent dredging for Paradip Refinery and other projects of IOCL.
Dredging activity of the sea floor has imperilled the topography of the region. As a result, tidal waves have been battering the vulnerable coastline for the last four to five years, posing a threat to villages of Dhinkia, Govindpur, Trilochanpur, Patana and Mahala of Erasama block. Apart from formation of a new mouth and ingression of tidal waves, it has led to decline in fish stocks.
Sources said earlier, Boskalis Dredging Corporation and Dharitri Dredging Corporation Ltd were pressed into service for sand lifting, levelling and grading of oil refinery expansion project of IOCL. Though the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) had suggested that dredging work should be done 8 km away from Jatadhar river mouth coastline, it was openly flouted by the two dredging corporations during sand lifting.
Dredging, which took place about 10 to 12 years back for Paradip refinery project, has now increased the erosion. As a result, a number of sand heaps have been completely damaged in Dhinkia panchayat. Sandpits such as Kartikanda Tikira, Badimatha Tikira, Kolathira Tikira, Panimunha Tikira, Udiyagola Tikira and Ballavsal Tikira comprising more than 4000 acres of land have been gradually destroyed as sea water is engulfing these sand heaps due to soil erosion.
Village chief of Dhinkia panchayat Nivaya Samantray alleged that though there was a strict instruction to conduct dredging and reclamation activities for levelling and grading of oil refinery expansion without disturbing the stability of the sandpits, officials of dredging corporation gave `80,000 per month as bribe to one group of local people, who were protesting Posco project, for smooth sand lifting. The dredging corporation allegedly lifted the sand from seashore instead of middle of sea by violating the NIO guideline and instruction of IOCL authority, he added.
Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district is vulnerable to global warming-induced natural catastrophes like cyclone, flood, tsunami and tidal upsurge. No preventive measures like afforestation programme or raising embankment along the coastal villages is yet to be taken up, he said.Admitting to the problem, Kujang Forest Ranger Pratap Mohanty said due to sand depletion, casuarinas trees, which protect soil erosion and entry of tidal wave, have disappeared. No steps has been taken by the authorities concerned for protection of coastlines and forest cover, he added.
Cause of worry
Sand heaps are on verge of disappearing due to frequent dredging for Paradip Refinery and other projects of IOCL
Apart from formation of a new mouth and ingression of tidal waves, it has led to decline in fish stocks