In Kendrapara, illegal shrimp farming operations have expanded over 20,000 acres, posing significant risks to local agriculture and the ecological balance of Bhitarkanika National Park, while also leading to law enforcement challenges.

Local farmers are increasingly worried as saline water infiltrates their fields through canals linked to these shrimp farms.

The Orissa High Court previously intervened, mandating the dismantling of unauthorized shrimp farms, but the lack of administrative action has stalled progress.

Advocate Mohit Agarwal has been appointed as amicus curiae to oversee the situation, yet the implementation of the court's directive remains pending.

Social activist Jyotiranjan Patri noted that initial efforts by the district administration were minimal, complicated by legal challenges from shrimp farm owners who filed three counter petitions claiming their operations were legitimate.

In one instance, nine petitioners contended that their shrimp farming was conducted on personal land for subsistence without harming the environment.

Another group of 17 applicants argued that they employed modern aquaculture techniques, while a third petition from 17 farmers asserted compliance with all legal standards.

With the legal status of numerous enclosures in question, the administration is now tasked with determining which operations are lawful.

Biren Kumar Das, a social activist, highlighted the dual threat posed by these shrimp farms, which jeopardize the biodiversity of Bhitarkanika and increase salinity in adjacent farmland.

This situation has sparked frequent disputes between local farmers and shrimp enclosure operators, leading to law and order issues in areas like Mahakalapada, Rajnagar, and Rajkanika. A shooting incident related to shrimp farming disputes occurred in Rajnagar's Kurunti panchayat.

In Mahakalapada's Petchela village, villagers clashed with enclosure owners over 39 acres of land that had been converted from forest and pasture to shrimp farming.

Rajkanika has also experienced conflicts due to saltwater intrusion from canals constructed for shrimp farming. Environmentalist Hemanta Kumar Rout pointed out that wastewater and air pollution from these enclosures are detrimental to the local ecosystem.

He cited Jagatjora in Bhitarkanika as a prime example where toxic runoff from shrimp farms is harming marine life and mangrove forests. Rout attributed the proliferation of these farms to Bhitarkanika's failure to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, despite a 2016 visit from a UNESCO team that raised alarms about the shrimp enclosures.

The team urged the district administration to promptly remove enclosures established on forest land. However, shrimp farm owner Satyendra Das argued that the district lacks effective employment initiatives.

He pointed out that many migrant workers returned home jobless due to the COVID-19 pandemic and turned to shrimp farming, which has received backing from both the Union and state governments.

Das maintained that since their operations are conducted under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, the administration should designate suitable zones to support livelihoods in coastal areas.

Additional District Magistrate Rabindra Mallik confirmed that demolition efforts are in progress as per the court's order.

He mentioned that some farm owners have sought legal recourse, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the legality of their operations.