The Fisherman’s World Is Ravaged By Reeds
The CDA seems to be more interested in pleasing the world's environmentalists than addressing the real issues affecting Chilika.
The Nalaghas eradication plan of the Chilika coastline, touted as a joke by many, has become a farce spanning over two decades. After the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, a series of thin bamboo-like structures, now known as Nalaghas, sprouted along the 200-km-long coastline from Borbakudi in Puri district to Kumandalapatna coast in Khordha district.
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) has managed to concoct a fertile scheme, showcasing eco-tourism to loot foreign funds. The coastal belt of Chilika, now in the clutches of the mafia, has failed to deliver on the Eco-tourism Yojana.
The Odisha government is scheming to keep the plight of impoverished coastal villagers away from the tourists' eyes. The Chief Minister's office is urging tourists to steer clear of the coastal poor. The state government's conspiracy has left millions of fishermen and non-fishermen in the basin destitute for a long time.
About 300,000 fishermen in Puri, Khordha, and Ganjam districts have lost their jobs. The government's apathy towards coastal security is apparent. This saga is a stark reminder of the state's neglect of the coastal population and its lack of concern for their livelihoods.
As the sun rises over the shimmering waters of Chilika, a stark reality looms large on its shores. Nalaghas, the infamous aquaculture farms, have taken over the once pristine coastline, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The state tourism department, once a major revenue generator, now laments the loss of billions as tourists stay away.
But the CDA, the body responsible for the conservation of Chilika, seems to be more interested in entertaining the world's environmentalists with false bird count reports every year. The CDA authorities, led by former chief executive Dr. Ajit Patnaik, seem to be more concerned with showcasing their heroism through paid news than addressing the real issues plaguing Chilika. They need to come clean today and describe the true state of affairs on the northeastern coast of Chilika.
Foreign tourists, who prefer to visit Chilika to witness the influx of exotic birds, are being misled by the CDA's false reports. The CDA seems to be more interested in pleasing the world's environmentalists than addressing the real issues affecting Chilika.
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