Illegal shrimp farms threaten agri, Bhitarkanika biodiversity

Illegal shrimp enclosures, spreading across more than 20,000 acres, in this district have emerged as a major threat to the local agriculture and the biodiversity of Bhitarkanika National Park, apart from creating law and order issues.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Reports said saline water entering through canals into these shrimp enclosures has raised concerns among local farmers.

Earlier, the Orissa High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and ordered the demolition of unauthorised farms. Advocate Mohit Agarwal was appointed amicus curiae to monitor the situation. However, administrative inaction has delayed the implementation of the court order.

Social worker Jyotiranjan Patri said the district administration initially took limited action, but legal hurdles ensued as three separate counter petitions were filed by shrimp enclosure owners asserting that their operations were lawful.