Residents of Satabhaya, who live under constant fear of sea erosion, have some reasons to smile. State Board for Wildlife (SBW) has decided not to force villagers to part with farming even after their relocation to mainland.
Satabhaya, inhabited by nearly 3,500 residents, is situated just a few feet away from Bay of Bengal that has already eaten up major portions of the human settlements. It has been decided to relocate the sea-struck villagers at Bagapatia, eight km deep into mainland, in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
After their relocation, forest department would have started plantation along seashore. SBW Standing Committee, which met here on Saturday, resolved that since villagers have been living in their ancestral land for decades, they would be allowed to continue agricultural and other allied activities there. It means villagers could keep the farmland under their possession even after they are shifted to Bagapatia.
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Forest department could, however, take up mangrove plantation in available land other than farmland, the SBW committee said.
To reach Satabhaya village, one has to cross a creek, infested by crocodiles, in a country boat. The problem does not end here. A person has to walk on 8-km-long narrow earthen road, which becomes unusable during monsoon. Although Satabhaya would lose its identity in course of time due to advancing Bay of Bengal, villagers continue to live dangerously in the seaside village.
Year after year, villagers have been pleading to be relocated to a safer place. But due to administrative bottlenecks and difficulties in acquisition of private land at Bagapatia, their relocation is getting delayed.
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As Bagapatia, the proposed relocation site, falls under the limit of Bhitarakanika Wildlife Sanctuary, the SBW also recommended National Wildlife Board for its regularisation in conformity with statutory provisions.