Medha Patkar Urges Odisha Residents to Safeguard Rushikulya River Amid Dam Controversy

Activist's Call to Action

Berhampur: On Saturday, renowned environmental activist Medha Patkar appealed to the citizens of Odisha to take action in preserving the Rushikulya river.

The state government has plans to build a dam on the Pipalapanka river, located in the Sorada block of the district.

During her participation in the Save Rushikulya river initiative in Ganjam district, Patkar emphasized, “Whether rivers are large or small, they are akin to our mothers. It is our duty to defend them from harm.”

She was present at a gathering organized by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, which is leading the protest against the dam's construction.

Having previously led the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Patkar warned that if the river were to perish, it would deprive the community of essential water for irrigation, drinking, and other needs.

“Everyone must unite to safeguard the river,” she urged.

The activist shared various instances of communities suffering due to the depletion of rivers.

In Potalampur village, she encouraged women to step up and protect vital natural resources, including rivers and forests.

Later, Patkar delivered a talk on the importance of constitutional protections for natural resources, particularly rivers, advocating for robust legal frameworks.

During her three-day visit to Odisha, Patkar was detained alongside several others by the Rayagada administration shortly after her arrival on Thursday, as she aimed to join a public meeting protesting bauxite mining in the Kashipur region.

According to official reports, the government has proposed the construction of a dam on the Rushikulya and Adanga rivers, a tributary of the Rushikulya, at Pipalapanka.

The estimated cost for this project is approximately Rs 1,035 crore, and forest clearance for the initiative is still pending.