River springs back to life through doc's efforts

Time of India

13 hours ago

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Bhubaneswar: The efforts of P C Rath, a prominent cardiologist, and the local community over a decade to revive the once "dead" Sukku Paika river, a tributary of Mahanadi, in Cuttack seems to have borne fruit.
"It's the victory of resilience. The achievement is particularly poignant for the thousands of residents residing along the riverbank in Cuttack, whose lives have been intertwined with the Sukku Paika for generations," Rath said.
TOI had reported about the efforts of Rath in the 'City of Angels' column on April 13.
The revival campaign, aptly named 'Save Sukku Paika', included innovative protests like a cooking strike and a Holi festival boycott.
The community's unique approach to advocacy eventually caught the govt's eye, securing substantial funding for the river's restoration.
The impact of the revival extends far beyond water flow. With the Mahanadi's waters now coursing through the restored sluice gate into the Sukku Paika, the project promises to benefit over 10 lakh residents along its banks.
The restoration is expected to transform the area's topography as well, breathing new life into local ecosystems and communities.
As water begins flowing through the rejuvenated river, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of villagers who stood steadfast with Rath.
Their collective victory serves as a reminder that with persistence, community action and govt support, even the most ambitious environmental restoration projects can succeed. "We can start farming activities again," Jayanta Padihari, a resident of Ayatpur village, said.
Sukku Paika's revival stands as a testament to the power of human determination and the enduring spirit of community action, proving that no river is beyond saving when people unite for a common cause.