Climate change threatens Barunei Island in Kendrapara

The centuries-old shrine of Goddess Maa Barunei, nestled on Barunei Island within Bhitarkanika National Park, is under threat from rising seas and climate change, locals and researchers say.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Once a revered but remote pilgrimage site, the shrine has become increasingly inaccessible due to shrinking landmass and severe coastal erosion. Locals fear the island could meet the same fate as Agaranashi, a nearby coastal site submerged in 2023.

Accessible only by water, the shrine lies at the confluence of the Rajnagar and Mahakalapara blocks in Kendrapara district, surrounded by Barunei beach and dense mangrove forest. To the north are the Olive Ridley turtle nesting grounds at Gahirmatha and the saltwater crocodile breeding center at Dangamal. To the south lie the Batighar lighthouse and Hukitola Island.