Kendrapara/Rajnagar: In an alarming development, reducing flow of fresh water in Brahmani and Kharasrota rivers might lead to extinction of mangroves in Bhitarkanika National Park in this district, a report said.
This was stated by experts at a workshop ‘Hydro-ecological Assessment for Integrated Management of Bhitarkanika Ramsar Site’ held at Gupti in Rajnagar block in this district, Wednesday. DFO Bikash Ranjan Dash presided over the workshop organised by Rajnagar forest division in collaboration with Chilika Development Authority and GIZIndia.
The wildlife sanctuary is located in the estuarial region of Bramhani and Baitarani rivers. It covers an area of 672 square kilometers of mangroves and wetland.
The fear is not unfounded as the flow of fresh water to the wildlife sanctuary during monsoon has come down to 40 per cent from 70 per cent. In non-monsoonal season the water flow gets reduced to as low as 15 per cent and aggravates the problems of the sanctuary. Participants at the workshop said that a master plan is the need of the hour to protect the eco-sensitive zone from becoming extinct.
If this trend continues then the mangroves might get extinct in the sanctuary by 2050. The park serves as nesting, feeding and breeding grounds for a wide range of invertebrates and vertebrates.
Dr Gurudeep Rastogi, scientist at Chilika Development Authority, deliberated on the importance of wetlands. He made a video presentation describing how the reducing flow of fresh water in these two rivers might spell disaster for the sanctuary as well as for people.
He said the use of river water by industries, water theft, take over by big corporations, lack of dredging of riverbed at regular intervals, and encroachment of the riverbed are some of the reasons behind the decline in water flow. He warned that if urgent measures are not taken then the reducing water flow might spell danger for the wildlife, avian and reptile populations.
Attending the workshop, Khuswant Singh, assistant chief executive of CDA, said the Chilika lake and the Bhitarkanika park are famous in the world for a number of reasons.
The ambience in Bhitarkanika is conducive for the survival of mammals, reptiles and marine creatures. The cacophonies of migratory birds, the nesting site of rare Olive Ridley turtles and the estuarine crocodiles attract tourists to Bhitarkanika. The survival of mangroves will help protect the coastal districts from the impact of tsunamis and cyclonic storms.
District fishery officer Mamata Mohapatra spoke on the threat of prawn gheries to Bhitarkanika. Environmentalists Srikant Nayak, Biraja Prasad Pati, Bijay Kabi and Bhaskar Routray opposed the construction of a mega drinking water project on Kharasrota river at Barunadiha under Rajkanika block.
PNN