Latest news with #MedhaPatkar
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
We have to protect rivers, says Medha
Berhampur: The State government's proposal to construct a dam at Pipalapanka in Sorada block of Ganjam district on the banks of Rushikulya river faced resistance from environmentalists and civil society leaders. Environmental activist Medha Patkar lent her support to Rushikulya Banchao Kriyanusthan Committee and Centre for Climate Justice during a public gathering at Potalampur near Chhatrapur. 'When rivers die, civilisations crumble,' she said, urging women and grassroots workers to stand as sentinels of nature. 'Let no river be chained without the people's consent,' she said, pressing for stronger laws to safeguard natural resources. 'Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks,' Medha said. The proposed Pipalapanka reservoir, estimated to cost Rs 1,035 crore, is yet to obtain forest clearance. Opponents allege that the project is tailored to benefit corporate behemoths at the cost of community and ecology. 'No corporate agenda can override people's rights over nature,' asserted Abani Gaya and Gagan Chandra Mallick during a joint rally organised by All India Kheta Mazdoor Kisan Sabha and Manab Adhikar Surakhya Manch in Berhampur. A memorandum opposing the dam was submitted to the Chief Minister through the RDC of the Southern Division. On the other hand, senior BJP leaders, including former deputy speaker Ram Chandra Panda and BJP panel spokesperson T Gopi, favoured the construction of the dam. They hailed it as a transformative step to harness Rushikulya's monsoon bounty and argued that such development is essential to irrigate over 3,000 hectares and quench the thirst of Berhampur, Aska, Purushottampur and adjoining towns. 'Opposition to this project is anti-people and anti-progress,' they stated, recalling the colonial and post-independence legacy of water projects like Sorada, Janibili and Baghua that shaped the agrarian prosperity of the region. But amid the debate, one truth resonates—the Rushikulya river, born in the misty heights of Daringbadi and flowing into the Bay of Bengal at Puruna Bandha, is gasping for breath. With five dry months a year, vanishing forest cover and erratic rains, the river now finds itself at the crossroads of policy, politics and preservation. As the battle between development and dissent intensifies, the voice of Rushikulya rises—not in words, but in whispers through her parched beds and fractured flow, awaiting a future where justice and sustainability may finally find a confluence.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Medha calls for protecting rivers
Berhampur: Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday joined the Save River Rushikulya movement in Ganjam district and called for safeguarding natural resources, including rivers and forests. "The rivers, whether small or big, are our mother. We have to protect them," said the 71-year-old while addressing gatherings at Potalampur, near Chhatrapur and Berhampur. The meetings were organised by Rushikulya Banchao Kriya-anusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading an agitation against the construction of a dam over Pipalapnaka river under Sorada block in the district. TNN Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Activist Medha Patkar stopped at Odisha's Rayagada station on way to anti-mining meet
BHAWANIPATNA/BERHAMPUR: Activist Medha Patkar was on Thursday stopped at Raygada railway station by police and not allowed to proceed to attend a meeting at Singer where she was scheduled to attend a meeting organised by anti-mining protesters. She along with farmer leader Lingaraj and tribal rights activist Narendra Mohanty later left for Berhampur with police escorts. The activist was supposed to attend a meeting at Sunger Haat organised by Ma Mati Mali Surakshya Manch of Thuamul-Rampur on the day. The manch has been opposed to bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri region. On Wednesday, the Rayagada collector Parul Patwari had issued an order basing on the report of the superintendent of police (SP) that an anti-mining dharna at Sunger could lead to law and order situation. When Patkar sought to know why she and her associates were stopped, police presented the order of the collector which prohibited 24 persons from entering or remaining present in Rayagada for a period of two months and taking part in any form of protest. En route to Berhampur, Patkar said over phone it was unjust and unconstitutional on part of the administration to bar them from joining the tribals for the World Environment Day celebration. 'We were not going to protest against anybody or create disturbance. We should listen to different opinions. Why is there PESA Act and Fifth Schedule of Constitution then?,' she asked.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Medha Patkar ‘stopped' from attending Rayagada meeting
Koraput: Environmentalist Medha Patkar (71) was allegedly detained by police at Rayagada railway station on Thursday morning over fears of law and order disruption, shortly after she arrived in Rayagada district. She was supposed to attend a public meeting at Hatpada field in Sunger under Kashipur block in protest against proposed mining activities at Sijimali bauxite mines. "We had inputs that her presence could trigger law and order problems as there were groups opposing her en route to Kashipur. She was requested not to proceed to the meeting and she left the town without any untoward incident being reported," said KKBK Kanhar, IIC of Rayagada police station. The meeting, organised by local outfit "Maa Mati Mali Surakhya Mancha" on World Environment Day , was aimed at raising awareness about environment degradation and tribal rights. According to Patkar, the authorities showed her an order issued by the Rayagada district administration listing over 25 people, including her, who were barred from entering the area. "I was stopped from participating in the meeting by the police. They showed us an order claiming that we had come to incite people. But my objective was to create awareness about the PESA Act and other tribal rights issues," said Patkar.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Activist Medha Patkar denied entry into Rayagada district in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Noted activist Medha Patkar was denied entry into Odisha's Rayagada district on Thursday. She was slated to join a dharna protest in the district's Kashipur block against the Sijimali bauxite mining project, coinciding with World Environment Day. When Patkar arrived at Rayagada Railway station at around 4 a.m. on Thursday, the police officials detained her and other activists at the station, citing law and order issues. Patkar and other activists were later sent to Berhampur by the Rayagada Police. The district administration has reportedly issued a notice on Wednesday barring the entry and stay of two dozen activists including Patkar, Prafulla Samantara, Narendra Mahanty, Lingaraj Azad, etc. in Rayagada district for a period of two months. The said activists have also been barred from participating in or instigating any form of protest, Dharana or unlawful assemblies in Kashipur block and adjoining areas. 'There is a reasonable apprehension that, their movement and presence in the Rayagada District may lead to deterioration of law and order, disturb public peace and hinder the smooth conduct of administrative affairs and developmental process in the district,' reads the order reportedly issued by Parul Patawari, the Rayagada District collector. The district administration also clamped Section 163(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), that replaced section 144 of CrPC in the Dharna area at Sunger Haat in Kashipur block of Rayagada. Meanwhile, Patkar told reporters that she is not a terrorist and her presence wouldn't pose a threat to the public. She further added that the activists are not against development but this should be done in a sustainable manner. A local outfit, Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Mancha, has been protesting against the proposed bauxite mining at Sijimali for the past couple of months. Patkar is supposed to attend two separate programmes in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar on June 6 and 7, respectively.
