PARADIP: Dumping of prawn and shrimp shell waste collected from processing units in open field near Jatadhari river mouth in Port Town continues unabated causing sever marine pollution. Green activists have blamed prawn farming on the outskirts of the town for being the constant source of water and air pollution.
Locals alleged that violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), unscrupulous prawn and dry fish traders are allegedly dumping the wastes generated from the processing units in
barren field or canal embankment. Hundreds of unauthorised units are also operating their business on encroached Government land without permits. After processing of shrimp and prawn, its shell and waste are being stored at Sukhuakhala on Taladanda canal embankment causing water pollution. Illegal dumping of waste has worsened the situation as foul smell starts emanating from the yards causing inconvenience to commuters.
Sources said nearly 50 per cent of sea food goes as waste, while the dry fish processing units generate about 5,000 tonnes of waste every year. Traders and fishermen used to store their waste at Sukhuakhala for poultry feed and other usages. Middlemen purchase it at 75 to 85 paisa per kg from local dry fish traders and sell those to poultry farm owners at a cost of ` seven to ` eight per kg. These units used to produce dry fish without adhering to the prescribed procedures, and therefore, perpetrating air and water pollution. Prawn and shrimp shell waste decomposed during rainy season and it’s water flows into the canal and sea causing water pollution.
Last year, locals had sought the intervention of Paradip Municipality which had dismantled hundreds of illegal dry fish units at Sukhuakhala. However, no step has been taken by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to check the menace and enforce the CRZ norms in the area.Meanwhile, Anil Swain, a social activist, lodged an FIR against the unscrupulous traders with Jatadhari Marine police who asked them to evict their stocks from the spot immediately.