Bhubaneswar: The state government has asked the district collectors of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam to identify the illegal prawn gherries within the prohibited area of the Chilika lake, according to the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act.

The concerned district collectors have also been asked to form a committee of forest officials, police and other concerned agencies, following the direction of Orissa High Court.

The high court have directed the concerned collectors to file an affidavit before it by February 13 after identifying the illegal prawn gherries, along with the persons owing such dykes. The court has also directed demolition of such gherries with lodging of criminal prosecution against the offenders.

According to the act, ecologically fragile areas such as the coastal zone is extended up to a distance of 2km from the boundary of the lake. Similarly in 1996, the Supreme Court had also directed demolition of all shrimp farms set up within 1,000 metres of the Chilika lake. "Waste water generated in the shrimp farms pollutes the lake water and affects the salinity. Besides, people living around the farms are exposed to chemicals and antibiotics used there. The authorities must demolish such farms to restore the ecology of the area," demanded environmentalist Bijay Mishra.

It is often alleged that influential persons, including politicians, having prawn gherries in the lake area and peripheral areas earn in crores by flouting the norms. Moreover, a number of clashes have taken place in the recent past over the illegal prawn culture.

"So far, we have conducted eviction in around 50,000 acres in the lake area. While the eviction drive is almost completed in the lake area in Ganjam and Khurda districts, it is going on in Puri district," said additional chief executive of the development body Sasmita Lenka.