Padayatra across 100 villages warns of Rushikulya River drying up

10-day padayatra in Odisha's Ganjam district opposes dam construction on Rushikulya River, highlighting ecological and water supply concerns.

A 10-day padayatra covering nearly 100 villages along both banks of the Rushikulya River in Odisha’s Ganjam district concluded on Tuesday with a call to halt the proposed dam, warning that it would obstruct the river’s natural flow.

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Green activists and villagers had started the padayatra on March 16 from Pipalapanka forest, where the dam is proposed to be constructed.

“The Pipalapanka forest serves as the primary water source for the Rushikulya River, a vital lifeline for Ganjam district. However, reservoirs have long been constructed on each of its key tributaries - Jarau, Badanadi, Baghua, Dhanei, and Ghodahada - preventing them from contributing any water to the Rushikulya during the summer months,” Prafulla Samantara, President of Lokshakti Abhiyan and a Goldman Environmental awardee, said.

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“The dam will obstruct the natural flow from Pipalapanka to the Ganjam mouth of the Bay of Bengal from November to June, causing the river to dry up completely. This will disrupt its ecology, render all lift irrigation pumps inoperative, and leave tanks and wells without water as groundwater levels decline,” said Mr. Samantara.

He alleged, “the dam was proposed in 1996 for Tata Steel company at Gopalpur but it had triggered massive protest in which many progressive political leaders were involved and it forced the then government to stop the project. Now, it seems the proposed dam will cater to industrial need and Gopalpur Port of Adani Group.”