NGT Story

MOTHER’S TRIUMPH OVER THE DEMONS

‘Water of river Baitarani can’t be used for ore supplying purpose which was being designed by Brahmani River Pallet Limited (BRPL) like Multi-National concerns’, as observed by the National Green Tribunal leaving the Government on a land of disarray. In its historic Order on the 21st of this month, the Honourable Bench added to stop the construction work without the environmental clearances in hand along with a categorical order not to go with river water for mineral transporting.
Flow of river Baitarani is marked to be much beneath during the period of about six months of none-rainy season influencing the daily lives of inhabitants belonging to more than five districts of the state like, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Kendrapara who use to depend on the flow, solely. Mega irrigation projects such as Kanpur and Anandpur barrages, undertaken on Baitarani made the peripheral peasants dream for a farm, freed from drought but in vein, thanks to the nexus among the MNSs and the Governments at the Centre and the State as well. Nonetheless, such dream irrigation projects will be at receiving end unless the water flow suffices their need. Corporate Houses as BRPL and ESSAR are on the process of iron ore benefaction and supplying the ores through slurry pipe with the help of water from the Baitarani after they could bag the water allocation from the Government by dint of deals-under the table. Water scarcity at the time of need will kill the farmers around more than five districts unless the foreign companies are blocked at once. Last three years witnessed an untiring public movement in and around Keonjhar to prevent the companies from sucking the river water being led by some public activists like Mr Sarbeshwar Mishra and a congregation of saints from across the country sharpened the voice of ‘Save Baitarani’. I also tried my best to give my all for spreading the movement. Innumerable local adivasis and people at large were seen mingling in the flow of activists to save the flow of Baitarani. But things worsened when the companies went on with their actions even without an environmental clearance. BJP went to the extent of bringing its national icon, Mr Rajnath Singh to the dais against the ill corporate designs. I had to knock at the door of National Green Tribunal through my petition, praying for the cause of farmers. I had also prayed the tribunal to issue notices on ESSAR company for which the Bench advised for filing a separate petition. Here, I owe my gratitude to the learned legal luminary, Mr Bibhu Prasad Tripathy who is advocating our cause, cause of our ‘Mother’, the Baitarani. Please watch Kanak TV news at 11am and 3pm on 24 November to go through more regarding the historic victory of Maa Baitarani. Jay Hind, Jay Maa Tarini, Jay Baitarani.