Joda: Mining of minerals has been leaving ill impacts on creeks, streams, ponds and rivers in Joda mining circle of Keonjhar. Sadly, some of these water sources are almost on the verge of losing their existence. And, Suna river is the worst affected by rampant mining, a report said.
According to the report, Suna river is said to be the lifeline of Joda area. Over years, its bed is getting shallower with gradual deposits of mineral waste from mining firms.
On the other hand, the state government has been focusing on mining in order to increase revenue, but it is allegedly forgetting the fact that rampant mining has been leaving bad impacts on other natural resources like water and water bodies.
Suna river originates at Turipatamunda under Koida block of Sundargarh district and it flows near 9 and 10 mines of a firm in Malda area. The river flows though Bichhakundi, Kep Hutting and Bar hutting.
It was alleged that waste and earth left out by mining are carried by rainwater into the river, thus reducing its depth. As the river depth is becoming shallower, water flow in the river has been gradually decreasing over years.
Unsafe mining has been a bane for the creeks and other rivers in the area too. Some quarters observed that no focus is being given on protective measures for mining activities so that waste does not flow into the rivers and creeks.
Former Champua MLA Jitu Patnaik has expressed concern over reducing depth of the Suna river. “I have put forth a proposal of Rs 4 crore for renovation of Suna river, but it was not executed later. To protect the river, there is need to prevent inflow of mining waste and earth from various mines along its banks.”
“The riverbed is to be dredged to its natural depth so that its water flow will be retained. People of Joda town will not face water crisis in future,” Patnaik said.
As for sorry state of Suna river, Niranjan Bohidar, the president of the Joda Bikash Parishad, said about 70 per cent of the people in Joda town depend on Suna’s water for their daily needs. “All need to come out for protection of the river, whose depth is becoming shallower and its water flow has shrunk due to inflow of mining waste and earth,” he added.
He also pointed out if Suna river’s depth is not restored, it will impact the Kanpur major irrigation project, the second biggest dam project in the state.
The backwater of Kanpur dam will create man-made flood in Suna river in future. In view of this, the government needs to dredge its bed so as to save it from becoming extinct, he added.
PNN