Jana Jagaran Yatra at Angul against massive pollution - further coal mining opposed

By Bijaya Mishra
Angul , 28-3-23
 
  There is widespread resentment among the people due to growing massive air and water pollution in Angul -Talcher - Chhendipada -Meramundali region for unplanned mining & industrial activities . Denouncing the callousness of concerned authorities , Rajya Mahila Mancha , Paribesh Surakhya Abhyan , Citizen Action Forum along with other organisations conducted week-long  Jana Jagaran Yatra & demonstration at various industrial areas against pollution in this region . 
 In the concluding meeting presided over by  State Mahila Mancha  Convener Er Sasmita Behera , noted environmentalist Prafulla Samantaray  accused that OSPCB is only looking after the interest of polluting industries . Mr Samantaray urged the Govt to stop further mining and industrial activities in this polluted area .  Addressing the gathering Social activists Krishna Mohanty , Devi prusty , Bijay Mishra & Ranjit Pattanaik urged the Govt to stop further mining & industrial activities in this already critically polluted area . They demanded to asses carrying capacity of this area . They also demanded expansion & construction of new modern habitation places , away from this polluted area to allow already affected people to shift . 
    State Mahila Mancha Convener Er Sasmita Behera told that , their is health disaster in Angul & Dhenkanal districts due to air and water pollution . DMF funds are  mis utilised  and the district has not yet a Medical College . People of mining areas in Chhendipada & Talcher are the casualties of massive deforestation , human -elephant conflict and polluted habitation . 
   Among others the meeting was addressed by  Bauribandhu Bez, Binod Lal , Purna Chandra Rout , Krutarta Dehury , Santilata Behera , Alakarani Mohapatra, Sangram kuanra, Nilakantha Naik, Ashok Ranjan Pradhan &  Rakesh Mishra.