Bhubaneswar, July 3 -- Thousands of illegal prawn enclosures have spread unchecked across government land along the banks of the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Kharasrota rivers in Kendrapara district. These enclosures have sparked severe environmental and public health concerns.

The rapid expansion of these unauthorised aquaculture farms triggered large-scale water pollution and land degradation, with local eco-systems and agricultural fields bearing the brunt of the damage.

The unauthorised commercial cultivation is heavily concentrated across acres of encroached public land in the Rajkanika block of the district. Prawn farming units are allegedly operating against environmental laws. These units are also reportedly discharging untreated, t...