As cyclone Dana approaches the Odisha coast, concerns have been raised about the vulnerability of coastal villages due to denudation of the mangrove forests.
Environmentalist Hemant Rout alleged that prawn cultivators have cleared large areas of mangrove forests to set up farms leaving around 1 lakh people in 45 villages around Bhitarkanika vulnerable to the cyclone.
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Cyclone Dana LiveHarish Chandra Mallick (68), a teacher from Jagatajora village, said many influential persons illegally converted mangrove forests into prawn farms 20 years ago.
The disappearance of mangrove forests is a cause for concern in several villages around Bhitarkanika, including Rangani, Talachua, Pravati, Ajagarapatia, Khola, Baghamari, Krushnanagar, Jamboo, among others.
Prabir Mandal, a farmer from Rangani, said mangrove trees provide a formidable natural barrier against cyclones and storm surges, playing a crucial role in stabilising the shoreline. Biswanath Jena (59) of Ajagarapatia, said his village was saved from the super cyclone in 1999 due to the mangrove forests.
Assistant chief conservator (ACF) of forests, Bhitarkanika, Manas Das said action is being taken against prawn mafia, who illegally cut down mangrove trees. This year, around 400 acres of prawn farms have been dismantled.
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