Bhubaneswar, May 31 -- Rising temperatures and climate change have accelerated groundwater depletion across India, and Kendrapara's coastal Bhitarkanika region in Odisha is no exception. Adding to the woes, environmentalists have warned that prawn mafias are illegally extracting groundwater, threatening both biodiversity and local communities.

Despite government spending crores of rupees on rainwater conservation and new pond projects, the exploitation continues unchecked.

Depleting Groundwater Threatens Ecosystem and Communities

According to the Global Groundwater Conservation Report, 100 districts nationwide are experiencing alarming declines in groundwater levels, including Kendrapara. Bhitarkanika, known for its rich biodiversity a...