The recent concerns raised by environmental activists about the negative impacts on Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park due to the proposed diversion of freshwater from the Brahmani river basin have made headlines. The issues highlighted include excess water allocation for industries, which will potentially decrease the fresh water reaching the sea, saline ingression upstream due to the lack of normal fresh water flow, escalating man-crocodile conflict due to increased salinity, and degradation of mangroves.
Implications of Bhitarkanika’s Freshwater Crisis
The major concerns surrounding the diversion of water resources are multifaceted. Primarily, it is feared that the overallocation of water for industrial purposes could drastically reduce the amount of fresh water reaching the sea.
This could result in an increase in saline ingression upstream, affecting both the local flora and fauna as well as severely impacting the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen who depend upon the Brahmani river and its tributary, the Kharasrota.
A drastic increase in man-crocodile conflicts is also expected as the estuarine crocodiles are likely to move away from their sanctuary areas and migrate upstream as salinity increases. Furthermore, the decrease in water discharge might lead to the depletion of the mangroves, transforming the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary into a marine desert.
Bhitarkanika National Park: A Biodiversity Hotspot
Bhitarkanika National Park, declared in 1988, boasts the second-largest mangrove forest in India and is also recognized as a Ramsar site. It is situated within the estuary of four river systems: Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
The park, renowned for its biodiversity, houses countless creeks, migratory birds, turtles, and estuarine crocodiles. It is known to be home to 70% of India’s saltwater crocodiles, the conservation of which began in 1975.
The Protected Areas of Bhitarkanika
The Bhitarkanika region comprises three protected areas: Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. These are vital centers for the conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity.
River Brahmani: A Lifeline Under Threat
The Brahmani River, crucial for the ecological balance in northeastern Odisha, is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers in Bihar. It flows for approximately 300 miles, mostly south-southeast past Bonaigarh and Talcher, before turning east to join the northern branches of the Mahanadi River.
One of the few rivers slicing through the Eastern Ghats, it has carved a minor gorge at Rengali where a dam has been constructed. The proposed diversion of freshwater from this river for industrial purposes poses a severe threat to the surrounding ecosystems and biodiversity, making it a pertinent issue for environmentalists and local communities.