Jagatsinghpur, August 23 (LocalWire): River embankments of Mahanadi River are eroding fast due to lack of proper maintenance and frequent lifting of sand from river beds causing a threat to nearby villages of Taldananda canal embankments in Tirtol and Kujang areas.
Due to continuous sand mining from the rivers despite restrictions from the administration, soil erosion of the banks of the Mahanadi river is at a high.
Constant soil erosion has caused panic amongst the villagers of Tirtol and Kujang areas as well those living near the Taladanda canal embankment.
Villagers of Arada namely Madhusudan Behera, Udhab Behera and others have alleged that the Mahanadi river embankment near Jhulababa Math in Tirtol panchayat under the same block has collapsed 250 ft below, triggering concerns.
After its collapse, different trees like sal, jackfruit, mango, cashew, lemon and casuarina have been washed away while other important trees will be damaged if no action will be taken for the protection of the river embankment.
River embankments of Mahanadi River are eroding fast threatening different panchayats like Tirtol, Tentulipada, Manijanga, Jadatira, Pipalmadhab, Bodhei and others.
Frequent erosion also threatens the Taladanda canal embankment, in which local villagers are living in panicky conditions.
The embankment has collapsed three to four times since its construction and is giving us sleepless nights as we worry that the embankment might collapse completely, many villager said.
They have informed that nearly 400-meter-long and 250-meter-wide river embankment has been damaged due to the frequent collapse.
Taladanda canal embankment is just 700 meters away from this spot so it has created a threat to this canal embankment.
“Usage of machinery is causing a change in the natural topography.
Deep digging and lifting of sands leads to the formation of ponds and when the river floods at any point in time, there is a danger of it changing its course.
This can prove to be catastrophic for the rural areas as well,” warned environmentalists.
Tahsildar, Kujang S.P. Priyadarshneee said, “We have conducted raids and seized two sand loaded Haiwa and two tractors yesterday while they were transporting sand from Taladanda River to Paradip for construction work of different industries.
We have imposed a fine of Rs 26,000 on them for the illegal lifting of sand from Mahanadi River,” she added.
LocalWire
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