Fear of beach erosion grips fishermen in coastal Ganjam

BERHAMPUR (ORISSA): With south-west monsoon advancing in Orissa, fear of beach erosion has gripped many fishermen living in coastal villages in Ganjam district.

Several villages in the coastal belt in the district have been identified as vulnerable to erosion. Fear is clear among villagers of Sana Arjeepalli, Bada Arjeepalli, Katuru, Kandara Arjeepalli, Gokharakuda and Podampeta when high tidal waves come close to their villages.

"We are living in constant fear as sea water is approaching our villages," said K Alleya, Sarapanch of Arjeepalli gram panchayat. "The sea is coming close to our villages because of the construction of Gopalpur Port and no remedial measures are taken by the government," he said.

"The worries of the residents of the coastal area had gone up as there were no remedial measures taken up neither by the port authorities or by the state government, even though a technical team visited the area to suggest the remedial measures," the Sarapanch said.

As many as 28 villages are located in the 60-km long coastal belt in Ganjam district and at least seven villages of them are facing the threat from the Bay of Bengal due to the rapid beach erosion.

Gopalpur Port authorities, however, denied the allegation on the beach erosion was taking place due to the construction of the port in side the sea.