Prawn gherries (enclosures) pose the biggest threat to Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish water lake that is not only a major tourist attraction but also provides sustenance to lakhs of fisherfolk living on its shores. The gherries, set up by illegal prawn culturists, have shallowed the lake and affected the salinity of its water which nurtures a bewildering variety of flora and fauna.
While traditional fishermen have been agitating against illegal prawn culture in the lake and demanding the demolition of gherries, the mafia who control the prawn trade continue to rule the roost. Even though district administrations in Puri, Ganjam and Khurda have in the past taken steps to demolish the gherries in a bid to control the rampant illicit prawn culture, they have achieved only limited success.
The Orissa High Court recently set the April 4 deadline for collector Puri to come up with a definite plan to tackle the persisting problem of the re-emergence of illegal prawn gherries in the Chilika lake area of the district. Apart from Puri, the lake also spreads over Ganjam and Khurda districts.
The court set the deadline as it is keen to put an end to the menace of illegal prawn culture that has been affecting the health of the lake which happens to be the state’s first Ramsar site and one of the most treasured wetlands of the world. Chilika, which nurtures a wide variety of aquatic species including fish, shrimp and crabs, also plays host to lakhs of migratory birds each winter. The winged guests flock to the lake mainly because of the excellent environment and the food stock it offers to them.
However, shallowing of the lake and the dilution of its salinity could lead to serious problems that could affect its aquatic life and the food-stock of the visiting birds. Nalabana, the core island of Chilika that happens to be the largest bird sanctuary of the state, has become so shallow over the years that buffaloes often swim up to the island. Some vital installations including watchtowers on the island were damaged a few years ago in a bovine attack that made authorities sit up and take note of the problem.
Hence, it is of vital importance to find a solution to the problem of illegal prawn culture. The district authorities concerned must take all possible steps to ensure that prawn gherries once demolished do not reappear in the lake area. Some of the district administrations facing the problem are now taking the help of satellite imagery to keep watch on the prawn gherries in the lake area. With courts intervening in the matter, the government must now take the issue with utmost seriousness and bring the menace of illegal prawn culture to an end in Chilika.
Comment here