Tragedy Strikes in Ekamania Village
In a shocking incident in Kendrapara district, as many as 73 buffaloes died on Sunday after consuming poisoned water from the Galia, a branch of the Brahmani River, near Ekamania village. The water was reportedly laced with toxic substances used to kill prawns, leading to an unprecedented livestock tragedy in Odisha.
Buffaloes Struggle Before Dying
Witnesses described a heart-wrenching scene as the buffaloes, released for grazing in the morning, went into the river to drink water. Within minutes, they showed signs of uneasiness and collapsed in the narrow waters. Due to the river’s depth and current, the animals failed to escape, and one after another, they died, leaving villagers devastated.
Farmers Face Massive Losses
Three farmers—Ganesh Das, Jagannath Das, and Pagala Biswal—suffered the worst losses. Ganesh lost 40 buffaloes, many of them milk-yielding; Jagannath lost 14, and Pagala lost 16. Only a handful survived—3 from Jagannath’s herd and 12 from Pagala’s. The farmers expressed despair over how they would sustain their families without their primary source of livelihood.
Illegal Prawn Poisoning Blamed
Locals alleged that the poisoning was carried out a day earlier during low tide by unscrupulous groups seeking to harvest Bagda prawns. The toxic chemicals killed prawns that surfaced with the tide but left the water contaminated, leading to the mass buffalo deaths. Residents fear such illegal fishing practices could pose a severe threat to both livestock and human health.
Calls for Government Action
Community leaders and villagers have urged the government to step in with immediate compensation for affected farmers and strict action against those responsible. The state animal husbandry department and local administration are set to visit the site for damage assessment and relief measures. Authorities have also ordered an investigation to identify and punish the culprits behind this environmental crime.
A Grim Reminder
As the sun set over Ekamania, the floating carcasses of the buffaloes stood as a stark reminder of how fragile rural livelihoods are in the face of environmental exploitation. The tragedy has sparked urgent calls for protecting traditional farming communities from such man-made disasters.
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