The Balukhand-Konark sanctuary spread over 71.72 sq km area is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, while rivers Kushabhadra and Nuanai cut through the sanctuary.
The marine drive road runs parallel to the sanctuary attracting many people. The entire area is covered by sand dunes which are formed due to action of wind and waves of the sea.
Self-styled godman Banambar Baba has forcefully encroached over 22 acres of land within the sanctuary areas near Konark town within the Konark range. He has constructed huge buildings, temples and other masonry structures and is carrying out witchcraft. The establishment is situated right at the edge of Konark-Kakatpur Road near Balidokana village. There is a small hill of sand dune called Darsnibanta there.
The range officer of Konark has already written to the DFO Puri, stating all the facts in this connection and urging appropriate lawful action against Banambar Baba, son of Hachhamana Moharana of village Gadhanapada. As is learnt, no lawful action has been taken yet against the Baba for reasons best known to the district authorities.
Besides this, the Baba and his people have encroached the village pasture lands and burial grounds at Godhanpada and revenue land at Anabadi village. The private holdings of adjoining villagers of Godhanpara and Guhalpur have also been grabbed by the Baba and his henchmen. The complaints of the villagers before the district authorities have fallen in deaf ears. It is believed that the godman has got strong political connections for carrying out such unlawful activities.
The Forest Department booked seven forest cases against the Banamber Baba for violation of forest laws. The Baba and his entire team should be arrested and forwarded to the court. All the forest cases are cognizable offences. The forest officers as well as the police officers are empowered to book such cases. Other than the police and forest officers the executive magistrates can take cognizance of such offences and book the offenders and send them for trial or hand them over to the police and forest officers for lawful actions.
It is quite amazing, how the Forest Department and the district administration have become mute spectators over last 15 years. It is also alleged that the MPlAD fund has also been spent in the ashram. It means the entire district administration is in the know of things.
Not only is the Baba liable to punishment for causing encroachment inside the reserve forests cum wild life sanctuary, he is also liable to pay compensation for causing damage done to the forest. The Odisha Forest Act 1972, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Forest Conservation Act 1980 can be applied to book the land grabber.
The smoking of ganja is a usual affair there. As is learnt processed ganja is brought to the ashram in empty pumpkins. One local man has divulged this to a TV channel. The case needs to be probed and necessary action should be taken against the Baba by the Excise officials and police. From safety and security point of view, the holy places of Puri and Konark are very vulnerable. The administration should tighten the noose on the Baba and his illegal activities.
The writer quite remembers an incident of 1988 when he had gone on a study four with students of Forest Rangers College, Angul and stayed in the guest house of forest department in Balukhand within the sanctuary. The writer noticed a small group of young men and women were taking bath and also playing in sea- water. When they saw the presence of the writer, they protested, shouting that it was a private beach. Now several hotels have sprung up around the boundaries of the sanctuary. So land encroachment is rampant in the area.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)