Kendrapara: Prawn farmers in coastal pockets of Kendrapara have got a respite from the High Court till November 26 so far as removal of illegal prawn gheries is concerned.
However, it was alleged that as the administration delays action against the illegal prawn gheries, it will be causing damage to Bhitarkanika sanctuary and paddy farming.
Prawn gheries have been made in over 20,000 acres in the district. According to reports, following an order from the High Court, the administration had started removing illegal prawn gheries.
However, some owners of prawn gheries filed three cases in the High Court, stating that their prawn enclosures and ponds are not illegal. Hearing their case, a division bench comparing Chief Justice S Muralidharan and Justice BP Mohapatra has stayed the eviction drive till November 26.
The court has asked the district administrations of Kendrapara, Khordha and Puri to identify illegal prawn gheries in their areas and submit reports to the court through affidavits within this period.
As per information available from amicus curiae Mohit Agrawal, there are nine complainants in one case. The petitioners have stated that they have been farming prawn in their own farmlands for their livelihood while their farming has no issues related to pollution.
As many 17 people have filed another petition at the HC. They raised a similar issue. They asserted that they are doing prawn farming in their land with scientific methods.
As questions arose over legal and illegal prawn gheries, the administration of these three districts have been asked to report on illegal prawn gheries.
Social activist Biren Kumar Das said prawn gheries near Bhitarkanika have been posing serious threats to its biodiversity. Besides, farming near gheries is affected by it as saline water from gheries finds way into farmlands.
This scene is common in Mahakalpara, Rajnagar and Rakanika blocks. Paddy farmers and prawn farmers often get into conflicts over release of saline water to farmlands. This leads to law and order in these areas.
It may be noted here that there was a violent confrontation between ghery owners and villages at Kurundi panchayat under Rajnagar block. Prawn gheries have come up over 39 acres of gramya jungle and pasture land.
The social activist pointed out that illegal prawn gheries have mushroomed in 20,000 acres across the district. Environmentalist Hemanta Kumar Nayak said, the HC, taking serious note of threat to Bihitarkanika biodiversity, directed action against illegal prawn enclosures.
He said there are several gheries near Jagatjora. Sub-collector Niranjan Behera said removal of prawn gherries is going on following direction from the HC. Some prawn farmers have moved the HC. Their cases will be investigated and reports submitted to the court, he added.
PNN