Families displaced from the core area of the Satkosia Sanctuary in Odisha’s Angul district for the Satkosia Tiger Project are reportedly grappling with an acute shortage of safe drinking water.

A total of 78 families were relocated on the assurance that the government would provide essential facilities at the new settlement. However, residents allege that the promised amenities, particularly the drinking water supply, remain unfulfilled, forcing them to risk their lives every day to collect even a single pot of water.

According to reports, the displaced households are facing severe hardship in sourcing water for drinking and cooking. Women in the village reportedly walk nearly 1.5 kilometres to reach a location where they dig small pits to collect water seeping from the ground, the only comparatively safer source available to them.

Residents have urged authorities to intervene and fulfill the commitments made during their relocation, citing worsening conditions and daily struggles for basic survival.

Local villagers alleged that although a tap water supply is available, the water quality is not fit for consumption, and many people have fallen ill after using it. As a result, the tap water is now used only for bathing and washing utensils.

Unsafe Water and Health Concerns

One of the villagers said, “The water from the tap is not good; many people got sick using that water. So now we use it from the tap to bath and wash utensils. However, we collect water from this tiny pool for drinking and cooking purposes. We put our lives at stake to collect water; we dig out small pools to get a little bit of water.”

Another local villager said, “We are scared to come alone as wild animals like tigers and elephants roam these areas. The water from the tap is yellow in colour and makes us sick.”

Risk to Life 

Residents allege that even after being moved out of the forest core zone for the tiger project, they continue to struggle for basic necessities. The situation reportedly forces them to risk encounters with wild animals while collecting water, particularly affecting women who undertake the long walk daily.

Also Read: Villagers in Odisha’s Satkosia Sanctuary region protest for land rights and livelihood

Local residents claim that the hardships have persisted since displacement and have appealed for immediate intervention to ensure a safe and reliable water supply.