A district level meeting to discuss about the serious threats against Baitarani river and save the river from dying was held here earlier this week.
“The death sentence on Baitarani has already been announced and now it is our responsibility to fight for its survival,” said Kendujhar Citizens Forum president Kiran Sahu, while narrating the facts on the exploitation, pollution and encroachment on the river basin.
Statistics shows how vast deforestation, rampant mining and industrialization have not only polluted the river water but many perennial streams and tributaries have become extinct in the last few years. Withdrawal of large volume water for mining units and industries, much above the river flow quantity, has kept the river dry round the year.
Waterman Rajendra Singh shared his experience in the national level ‘Save river campaign’ which was held in Keonjhar during his visit to the district recently. Singh suggested to begin a people’s campaign to save Baitarani, which is the life line of Kendujhar.
A district level steering committee was formed to save Baitarani and prepare a plan of activities for the purpose. After forming village level committees in all places on the Baitarani basin and villages on its banks, an organization will be formed at the district level on January 23 in Keonjhar.
The steering committee led by Rajendra Singh began the save Baitarani campaign from Guptaganga where the river originates. After village meetings in Guptaganga at Gonasika village, the local tribals pledged to ban polythene and other materials on the river banks to prevent pollution. Senior citizen Kiran Sahu, Sudarsan Das,Dhirendra Rout, Aswini Pattnaik, Rajashree Khatoi, Dharitri Rout, Sebati Singh, Bira Naik, Arun Das, Niladri Mishra, Malaya Mohapatra, Chitta Mishra, Manas Mishra , Santosh Mahapatra, Subrat Swain, Akshaya Padhi besides mediapersons, lawyers, social workers and activists attended the meet.