Experts and environmentalists have shown their concern over the large diversion of fresh water from the Brahmani river in Odisha. According to the, it could pose a long term threat to the mangrove forest in Odisha.
The famous and crucial biodiversity called Bhitarkanika which is spread over 190 km of forest and wetland is also home to various mangrove species, more than 1600 salt water crocodiles and several other species of flora and fauna. The fresh water from the Brahmin river basin and the Kharasrota river have been keeping this mangrove forest alive in maintaining the salinity level of the water along the shore.
“ The Talcher-Angul coal mines , steel and power plants as well as the kalinganagar steel and power hub are drawing enormous quantities of fresh water from the Brahmani river” said Biswajit Mohanty, Secretary , WSO ( The wildlife Society of Orissa, an environmental pressure group.
