WIO hails HC’s judgment on protection of water bodies in State

BHUBANESWAR: The Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO), an organisation working on water, environment and climate change issues in the State, welcomed the High Court’s judgment asking the State Government to formulate a law to protect water bodies of the State within two years. Odisha must take immediate measures to revive and bring to life all common water bodies of the State, the WIO demanded.

“More and more water bodies are being encroached by the rich and powerful both in urban and rural areas. Now, after the High Court judgment, the Government must immediately take action and free all water bodies of the State from encroachment,” said WIO convener Ranjan Panda.

According to Panda, surface water bodies play a major role in retaining rain water and recharging the local ecology. They are also a major livelihood support system for many poor farmers and communities depending on fishery, said Panda, adding, “The State Government should formulate a policy on water bodies to protect, preserve and rejuvenate all water bodies of the State.”