Pollution Causes Vision Disorders In Angul-Talcher Region In Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The most important organ is eye. But, this organ is unfortunately exposed to environmental pollution in Angul-Talcher industrial region in Odisha. Widely known as the industrial heartland of India, Angul-Talcher region, has become a curse for local inhabitants who are exposed to thick smoke released from  thermal power plants, dust from open cast coal mines and other heavy industries such as Nalco, Jindal Steel and Power and a number of ancillary industries.  

Angul-Talcher industrial belt is the fourteen most polluted region in the country. There is no gainsaying that the industries contribute immensely to the growth of economy but this is also true that particulate matters like PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and radioactive elements float in the air and get into underground water reserve released from heavy industries. Doctors maintained that the most sensitive organ like eye is either partially or fully get damaged for contamination of air and water.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), seepage of heavy metals into groundwater deposit from fly ash ponds not only contaminate wells, ponds in villages, but rivers and other waterbodies are also polluted. The second largest river in Odisha, Brahmani, is contaminated. People living all along the banks of Brahmani get the share of contamination by using its water for drinking, bathing and  using it for irrigation purposes.

Pollution Linked Eye Diseases in Angul-Talcher

Conjunctivitis mostly affect elderly persons and children due to air pollution. Dr Brajabandhu Behera said allergies occur owing to environmental pollution. Itching, redness, swelling and watering of eyes are the symptoms of the such types of ocular complications, he said.

Pterygium, another eye problem, occur due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and suspended dust particulates moving in the air, Dr Behera said and added that most of the persons affected with this eye problem generally work outdoors.

Certain dangerous eye diseases like Scleritis, Blepharites, Cataract and Cyst of Moll also occur due to contamination of air, water in mining areas in Talcher areas, Dr Behera said and added that safety precautions has to be carried out to protect the eyes which is most sensitive organ of our body. Reports from Talcher and Angul said more than thirty percent of patients coming to the hospitals have pollution related eye complications. The report further said dry eye and conjunctivitis were diagnosed most among workers who are employed in industrial concerns.

Impact Of Pollution On Eye:

The social impact is huge. Small time artisans and other skilled workers suffer most as their vision gets blurred. This complication leads to productivity losses and the workers run the risk of being fired from their units due to the ocular issues. Teachers and students working in Talcher region often complain vision blurring following smug. This condition occurs due to pollution.

Measures To Save Eye:

Dr Behera, who has done Master of Ophthalmology from DBU, Punjab, has advised people to practice good eye health by regularly washing eyelids with water for a number of times not to get infection due to environmental pollution. This habit is necessary for the people of Angul-Talcher region who are constantly exposed to toxic matters released by industries, he said. He said regular eye check ups are beneficial for the people who are residing in Angul-Talcher region or any industrial area because by doing this one can protect one's eyes from bad effects of pollutants. It is the responsibility of industries operating  in Angul-Talcher area to conduct training programmes relating to eye safety for their workers. The workers must be educated about recognizing symptoms such as blurred vision and pain. Use of goggles can prevent floating particulates in the air to enter eye.

The most important task of the industries should be to properly execute community awareness programmes in collaboration with voluntary organizations to educate about risks arising out of air and water contamination from mining projects. Coal mining activities are mostly responsible for damaging eyes. Therefore, mobile health units should offer free eye check ups and screening of the inhabitants in the peripheral regions in Angul-Talcher. The workers in industrial concerns should be aware of emergencies in the event of chemical exposure, such as thoroughly washing eyes with water, for a few minutes before taking medication.  

Odisha Rath Yatra-A Celebration Of Universal Brotherhood!

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Rath Yatra was celebrated with deep religious fervour and enthusiasm in Angul in Odisha on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of devotees pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra from Jagannath Temple here to Mausima Temple. Devotees pulled the chariots all along the street to Mausima Temple, the aunt's home of Lord Jagannath, cheering Jay Jagannath.

Rath Yatra in Angul today(June 27, 2025)

The most important religious celebration in Odisha, Ratha Yatra, falls on Ashadha Suklapakhya Dwitiya according to Odia almanac. The month of Ashadha is July in English calendar. Lord Jagannath, who is fodly called by Odias as Kalia Thakura, goes to his aunt's home at Mausima Temple for a nine day sojourn. People from every nook and corner of the world are familiar with Odisha as the abode of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, Odisha is also popularly know as Jagannath Desh(Land of Lord Jagannath).

The Jagannath philosophy is unique in the world as it promotes universal brotherhood. Anybody can pull chariots on Ratha Yatra as there is no bar on caste, creed, colour or religion. This is Jagannath Sanskruti (Culture) of inclusivity, treats everybody as equal, irrespective of power and money. According to Hindu scriptures, pulling of chariots on the streets during Rath Yatra is a pious act that allows oneself to attain Moksha (Liberation) that will free her or him from the mundane anxieties. The religious festival is no longer confined to Odisha alone. Rath Yatra is now being acclaimed as an international festival which is celebrated in a number of countries world over.

Puri(Odisha):

The seat of Lord Jagannath,Puri in Odisha located on the shores of Bay of Bengal in the eastern part of India, is associated with this planet's largest religious procession of the three deities in which over 15 lakh devotees throng the 3-km long Bada Danda (Grand Street) during Rath Yatra. The holy trinity, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, come out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, their abode, to be pulled to Mausima Temple on chariots, situated 3-km away. The Rathas (Chariots), Nandighosa, Darpadalana and Taladhwaja are built afresh every year with neem and Sal wood.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat:

Odia tradition blends with Gujarati during Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. This festival is known to be the largest after Puri in Odisha. Unlike Puri, however, the chariots are pulled by devotees to Mausima temple on a thirteen kilometer stretch of road.

Kolkata (West Bengal)

Some places in Kolkata, predominantly populated by Odias, have also observed Rath Yatra with a blend of Bengali culture. The Bengalis are known to be great worshippers of Lord Jagannath. A large percentage of devotees who visit Puri every year to get darshan of Lord Jagannath belongs to West Bengal. They virtually make a beeline to Puri which they call as Jagannath Dham to have a glimpse of Jaga Kalia for his blessings.   

ISKCON:Rath Yatra is not confined to Puri alone. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrates the festival in cosmopolitan cities like London and New York.The credit goes to ISKCON that has popularized the festival in a number of countries to spread Jagannath culture world over. The universal appeal of Rath Yatra has separated it from other religious festivities in India or abroad. The appeal of Jagannath culture is unmatched and it promotes brotherhood worldwide.

Mafia Usurp Dalit Land In Angul Dist, Administration Remains Silent

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Members of Dalit communities in Kuio Jungle under Banarpal block in Angul district in Odisha alleged that mafias have usurped their land in connivance with influential persons who have good rapport with revenue officials. Over 45 people belonging to Dalit families have alleged that most of their landholdings are leased out to influential persons who are rich and powerful and connected with the corridor of power. Mithun Behera, Prashant Behera and Kanhu Charan Behera who organized a rally participated by the affected families to protest against the injustice urged revenue officials in Angul district to take action against the mafia. They said they will resort to agitation if the administration delays action.

There are reports that members of Dalit community in Angul have been facing discrimination on the basis of their caste like other regions of Odisha. We are living in the 21st century but the position of Dalits in our society is no better than what it was during the pre-independence days in our country, social activists working for uplift of Dalits and marginalized communities in Angul district opined. The activists said industrialization has further worsened their situation as people from upper caste try to takeover the  landed property of Dalits by influencing them in various ways. They are punished in Kangaroo courts for negligible offences or banished from the society, they said and added that their only fault is that they belong to a lower caste strata. They are subjected to inhuman treatment and violence on the slightest pretext, the social activists added.

The most recent example of atrocities against Dalits is Dharakote incident in Ganjam district in Odisha. The incident has shocked everybody in the state how two persons from Dalit community were scandalized in public. Media reports said both of them were subjected to inhuman treatment by forcing to drink sewerage water. The media reports also said that one's head was half tonsured and face blemished with black colour. Meanwhile, Convenor of Odisha BJD SC Cell Mahesh Sahu, has written to the Director General of Police to take immediate action against the perpetrators who have committed heinous crime in Dharakote in Ganjam district.

This is a common practice among the upper classes to deny land rights to Dalits in most parts of the country. Dalit communities in Angul district continue to  face hardships due to massive industrialization. A number of open cast coal mines have already eaten up their land and most of them fail to get due compensation in the form of money or employment. Industrialization has thrown a massive challenge to their survival as mafia are eyeing to usurp their land and sell at a exorbitant prices to prospective buyers to make huge profits. 

Satkosia Villagers In Angul District Question Intension Behind Relocation

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Villagers in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary have come down to the streets of district headquarters town in Angul in Odisha to protest against relocation of villages which is allegedly done by the wildlife division in the guise of protection of environment and conservation of biodiversity. Over five hundred men, women and children under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee have recently gheraoed Angul District Collectorate to protest against illegal relocation of villages in Satkosia. They have presented a memorandum containing 9-point charter of demands to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, through additional district magistrate Uday Kumar Mohapatra, urging him to put a halt to relocation of villages in the name of conservation in Satkosia region.

The nine point charter of demands includes protection of their crops and vegetation and houses from attacks by wild animals, utilization of fund deposited with Environmental Development Committee (EDC) for developmental activities in villages, allowing fishing activities for the communities living on the banks of river Mahanadi to earn their living and improvement of mobile network facilities in Satkosia.

Mass protest by villagers of Satkosia under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee in front of Angul Collectorate against relocation  

President of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee, Bidyadhar Pradhan, Vice President Trinath Sahu and Tikarpada Sarpanch Soumyaranjan Sahu alleged that in the name of Project Tiger, the wildlife division in Angul has been trying to dislodge people from their ancestral homes giving a meager Rs 20 lakh per family as compensation. This sum is not adequate to go to other places and live a decent life with family, the members said.There is no tiger in Satkosia and the wildlife division has failed to convert the sanctuary into a habitat where Royal Bengal Tigers(RBTs) can survive, the Surakhsha Committee members alleged. Earlier, the wildlife division had experimented with RBTs like Mahaveer and Sundari, but failed miserably. The male tiger, Mahaveer, died under suspicious circumstances and tigress Sundari turned ferocious killing cattle in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. The tigress was eventually sent back to Bandhavgarh sanctuary from where it was brought. The Project Tiger idea in Satkosia virtually came to an end with the exit of tigress Sundari.            

The Satkosia wildlife sanctuary is not only a home to rare species and flora and fauna, but tribal communities also regard this forest region as their exclusive place where they can thrive. The tribal people are deeply attached to the sanctuary, but of late they are disturbed by the threat of relocation. The people of Tikarpada, Karadapada, Ramimunda and Majhipada who are mostly tribals, believe that the lush green forest has merged into their life and it is in their lifeblood.The forest is everything for them. They get firewood, get fish from the largest river of Odisha, Mahanadi, that passes through their region. Shifting to other places leaving behind their ancestral home and hearth will be suicidal for them, the Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee members alleged and gave example of New Raiguda how relocation has become a curse for the villagers.

Worthwhile to mention here that villagers of erstwhile Raiguda situated in the core area of Satkosia wildlife sanctuary were relocated to a place near Nuakheta some years ago, but there are allegations that most of the inhabitants in the new colony set up by the forest department lack basic facilities. People of Satkosia have been protesting for several years to put a halt to the relocation drive undertaken by the wildlife division by simply doling out Rs 20 lakh per family. There are allegations that in most cases innocent tribal people have been forced to toe the line of forest officials and leave for other places to live as nomadic.

Wildlife officials argued that settlements inside core areas in Satkosia will disturb species and their breeding will be hampered. The human settlements inside the area will also encourage animal-man tussle which will not be beneficial for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia. They said the only solution left is to relocate the villagers with compensation and let the wildlife species have their own natural way to live inside the forest. 

BJP-BJD Rivalry Over Medical College Issue Not To Favour Angul,Talcher People

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

As petty politics over the commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital has begun, Angul district administration in Odisha has clamped section 163 to discourage rallies or protest march in Talcher region. The prohibitory measure has been imposed on the entire stretch starting from Talcher FCI square to Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital square, banning protest movements or mass dharna from June 17 to July 16, during which period a high level team from National Medical Commission (NMC) is expected to visit Talcher to oversee the feasibility of its commencement.

The administration's move was necessitated after Talcher Medical College Action Committee had decided to stage a mass protest in front of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital  demanding its early commencement. However, the Action Committee members withdrew their strike after the imposition of section 163.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rudranarayan Pani has alleged that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is politicizing the issue to send a confusing message to the people over commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital. Pani said BJD did nothing for early commissioning of the medical college during its tenure and added that the medical project was left to rot for years. The Dhenkanal BJP MP told reporters that his party will fulfill the promise given to the local people for early commencement of the medical college in Talcher.

BJD-BJP Rivalry

Both BJD and BJP treats the medical college project as an opportunity to consolidate their electoral prospects in Talcher region which is an industrial hub in Dhenkanal Parliamentary constituency.  The issue has electoral implications as the BJD candidate lost to BJP's Rudra Narayan Pani in fierce fight in 2024 election. Therefore, BJD has no other way than to play with the sentiments of Talcher people by diluting the issue, political observers said. They said BJD was dilly dallying the medical college project for years and virtually kept the people of Talcher guessing about its commencement. The observers said BJD is trying its best to keep the loyalty base of its voters in Talcher region intact. Ever since BJP wrested power from BJD unseating Naveen Patnaik who had ruled Odisha for 24 years, the saffron party has been rebranding all the projects undertaken by the latter. In the case of medical college project in Talcher, BJP is also trying its best to take full credit for it by implementing the project at the earliest.

As local netas fight over the commencement of the medical college, the aspiring students of the region who have qualified for NEET with good all India rank are equally worried over their career prospects. No body knows when the high level delegation of NMC will oversee the infrastructure and other facilities as no exact date has been announced to the effect. Sources said the district administration is also in the dark about the team's visit. However, there is a possibility that team will visit soon, the sources added. As NEET results are already out and a number of talented students from Angul-Talcher region who have successfully cracked this examination aspriring to take admission into medical degree course, the delay in commencement of their medical college in the region has discouraged them. Knowledgeable sources said that NMC's delay in supervision of infrastructural facilities will impact on the admission prospects in the academic year.      

The medical college and hospital has been named after the freedom fighter Pabitra Mohan Pradhan of Talcher. The sooner the medical college is commissioned, the better it will be for the people of Angul-Talcher industrial area who are exposed to air and water pollution. People will not have to make a beeline for hospitals in cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar for treatment.

Diarrhoea Outbreaks In Six Odisha Districts, Death Toll Rises To 17, Over 2000 Affected

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The death toll related to diarrhoea in Jajpur district in Odisha is increasing day by day. Official data said so far seventeen deaths have occurred due to diarrhoea, but unconfirmed reports indicated the toll will be much higher. Reports said over two thousand people have been affected with diarrhoea so far.The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert following diarrhoea outbreak that started from Jajpur district and has now spread to five other districts of the state.

Odisha Health Secretary  Aswathy S said a high alert has been sounded in all the thirty districts of Odisha following the outbreak of diarrhoea in Jajpur and adjoining districts. The Health Secretary said 300 fresh cases of diarrhoea have been reported in five most affected districts of the state and added that the patients were put under round the clock observation. The state health machinery is in constant touch with the central team. Odisha government said that the situation is not out of control as made out to be by some vested interest groups, but admitted that ten percent of those tested have cholera infection.

Meanwhile, the situation is going to be worse as diarrhoea is spreading to adjoining districts such as Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar  and Dhenkanal. The Central Team currently investigating into the reasons for outbreak of diarrhoea in the above mentioned districts has now confirmed that intake of contaminated water is the main cause behind the epidemic. However, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling had earlier said the cause of outbreak of diarrhoea was not identified, but guessed that it could be either due to contamination of water or eating rotten food or may be something else. Outbreak of diarrhoea started in the second week of this month in Jajpur district and soon catapulted into a major health crisis and is going to grip a major part of Odisha. Some reports even suggested about symptoms of cholera found with the affected persons.

Media reports said Dharmasala, Danagadi, Korei, Binjharpur  and Vyasanagar are most affected with diarrhoea. The local health infrastructure has failed to cope with the health emergency due to shortage of doctors and other health staff.Meanwhile, health teams have started sanitizing water sources such as overhead tanks particularly in rural areas of Jajpur district where the situation has gone from bad to worse. Media reports said more than one lakh water sources have been disinfected and the process is on a war footing. The Jajpur district administration has banned public feasts and shops selling fast food as a precautionary measures to put a break on the spread of diarrhoea. Doctors said those who are affected with cholera must be treated immediately as even slightest negligence can be risky.They said if a patient affected with cholera is not treated immediately, then he or she might die due to dehydration.

Odisha Government Response:

Although Odisha's Mohan Majhi government has come under severe criticism for not taking immediate measues to contain the spread of diarrhoea, the health department, although lately, has geared up activities in the form of awareness campaigns and setting up of detection centres in vulnerable areas for health check ups. Mobile medical teams have fanned out to different parts of Jajpur and other adjoining districts of the state to treat patients and distribute oral rehydration solution sachets. A large group of Acredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers have been roped in for disinfecting water sources. The central health team that visited Jajpur district recently to go into details what led to the spread of diarrhoea has submitted its full report on the matter. However, the team had come under severe criticism for underestimating the severity of the situation when multiple deaths have occurred. Meanwhile, the former chief minister and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik has come down heavily on Mohan Majhi government for not acting immediately to contain the spread of diarrhoea in most parts of the state. Patnaik has urged the government to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to contain the outbreak of diarrhoea and prevent untimely death.

Possible Causes:

There have been allegations that the overhead tanks might have the primary cause of diarrohea infection as they were never cleaned since they were built. Most of the overhead tanks meant for storing potable water were not properly built either. One can see openings in the overhead tanks through which insects can enter inside and contaminate water. Although the government has claimed that nearly one lakh water sources have been cleaned and disinfected in a week in the affected districts, a lot more has to be done to ward off the crisis.

The mango season has also contributed to the outbreak of diarrhoea. During scorching heat, with the mercury rising upto 48 degree Celsius in most parts of Odisha, people in rural areas often prefer to eat ripe mangoes to stay cool. Villagers in most parts of Odisha believe that excessive intake of mango juice during summer season might have its repercussions in monsoon when rain comes. The seasonal change becomes detrimental for most people who suffer from dysentery and diarrhoea. The other reason of contamination of water sources and bodies might be the open defecation which is mostly done in rural regions of Odisha.

With Rath Yatra(Car Festival) round the corner, the outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera in most parts of Odisha has put the government machinery in a tight spot. As this religious festival is widely held in Odisha and attracts large number of devotees who throng roads to pull chariots and have darshan of Lord Jagannath,Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, transmission level of diarrhoea could acquire epidemic proportions.     

Safety Of Elephants-A Prime Concern In Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Deaths of elephants in Tikarpada and Pampasar forest ranges under Angul Wildlife Division have once again raised serious question on safety of these animals in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephants are regarded by wildlife experts, environmentalists and nature lovers as important species for maintaining the ecological balance as they act as agents for dispersing seeds and shaping the biodiversity. But, unfortunately these mammals are not safe in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district in Odisha.

Causes Of Death:

One of the primary threats to elephant safety in Satkosia is electrocution. Reports said over fifty  elephants have lost their lives due to electrocution in Odisha that occurred between 2014 and 2025.  One can recall the horrible incident in 2018 at Kamalanga village in Dhenkanal district where seven elephants died after coming in contact with high tension 11 kV electric line. Although Odisha government has spent crores of rupees on revival of elephant corridors in different parts of the state including Satkosia, much headway has not been achieved in this regard to considerably reduce deaths due to electrocution.  

Bamboo forest declining in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

Scarcity Of Food:

The staple food of elephants is bamboo. Bamboo species are on the decline in Satkosia over the years and one would hardly find a large patch of bamboo forest in the wildlife sanctuary in the present day. The loss of staple food along with habitat degradation have impacted on the decline of pachyderm, wildlife activists said. The activists said shortage of bamboo species have forced the elephants to roam in villages close to forest in search of food. Shortage of mango and jackfruit trees are also attributed to be the other reason for the elephants to look for food in nearby villages. However, no forest official including Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Angul Wildlife Division, do not agree with the fact that the sanctuary has dwindling reserve of staple food like bamboo for elephants. The officials maintained that they have taken up bamboo plantation in some parts of Satkosia. They, however, said that the deciduous nature of Satkosia forest has also forced the elephants to go elsewhere in search of food occasionally.

Poor Patrolling:

Inadequate patrolling, mostly during night, is one of the causes why so many electrocution deaths occur in Satkosia forest under Angul Wildlife Division in Odisha. The other factor, what the wildlife activists said, is gross violation of accountability among forest officials. There are allegations that the forest officials failed to maintain cohesion with electric department for coordination to minimize electrocution deaths in the sanctuary. Joint patrolling by forest and electrical staff is often irregular and therefore not being able to adequately monitor the movement of elephants in vulnerable zones where high tension overhead electric lines have passed, the social activists said. 

Habitat Restoration:

Forest officials in Angul Wildlife Division maintained that afforestation projects have been taken up in different regions of Satkosia to grow natural forest cover as part of the effort for habitat restoration. But, wildlife activists who are working for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia said the afforestation projects with plantations are not taken extensively and added that habitat restoration in Satkosia could not be possible with such small scale programmes. They alleged that nothing fruitful has been done to prevent deaths of elephants due to electrocution. The first and foremost task is to prevent electrocution but the department seems to be little concerned over the matter, the activists alleged.

Call To Action:

The Wildlife Division must take long term measures for conservation of natural habitats of elephants in Satkosia by raising bamboo forest and fruit bearing trees like mango and jackfruit. Plantation should not be done for raising trees which are commercially viable. Natural forests with species like bamboo will be beneficial for the jumbos who will not face shortage of food in the future. But, to counter the immediate threat of electrocution, the department must urge the local electric wing to replace the existing overhead wires with insulation passing over elephant corridors for safety of the animals. The wildlife wing must take up awareness drives in villages in Satkosia and in the peripheral regions to educate people about protection of elephants and such an act will become beneficial for nature. As media plays an important role in advocacy, Satkosia Wildlife Division should work closely with those news outlets which are covering environment, wildlife and nature issues for spreading awareness among the people. They can be of great help to boost the awareness campaigns conducted by the Wildlife Division to provide moral support and authenticity. If such measures are implemented with sincerity and right earnest, then electrocution or poaching of elephants will be a thing of the past and Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife officials in Angul forest division should hope for converting Satkosia as a model conservation center for elephants in India by initiating fruitful measures for reducing mortality rate of the animals. The sooner we understand that the existence of elephants are essential for the  ecosystem, the better it will be us and the humanity.