Bhubaneswar: Environmentalists and local residents have expressed concern over the abnormal decline in water sources in the ecologically significant Gandhamardan Hills, a mountain range that plays a vital role in maintaining the climate balance of western Odisha.

Located between the revered shrines of Nrusinghanath Temple and Harishankar Temple, the Gandhamardan range spreads across nearly 1,900 hectares and supports the livelihoods of many communities living in the foothills.

Lifeline for local communities

The forested hills are rich in biodiversity and provide a wide range of forest produce such as kendu leaves, char seeds, mahua flowers and other minor forest products. Locals also collect rare medicinal herbs from the forests and sell them in markets to sustain their livelihoods.

The hill range is believed to host nearly 500 species of medicinal plants along with several rare wildlife species, making it an important ecological and cultural heritage site in Odisha.

Decline in perennial streams

However, in recent years the natural balance of the hills appears to be changing. Several perennial streams originating from the hills have reportedly seen a steady decline in water flow.

Around 22 perennial waterfalls and streams flow from the Gandhamardan range, including those near Harishankar, Nrusinghanath and areas like Kandrabhatta. Locals say that streams such as Kapiladhara, Chaldhara and Papanasini once carried clear water throughout the year, but their water levels have gradually decreased in the last few years.

Earlier, residents in the foothill villages relied on these water sources for drinking and irrigation, enabling farmers to cultivate crops comfortably. Now, the reduced flow has made agriculture and daily water use increasingly difficult.

Sudden muddy floods during monsoon

Another unusual phenomenon has been reported during the monsoon. Residents say that sudden surges of muddy water now rush down from the hills, sometimes flooding temple surroundings and nearby areas.

Local people claim that such incidents were rarely seen earlier, even during heavy rains, when the streams used to remain relatively clear and stable.

The sudden muddy flow and flash-flood-like situations have raised questions about the environmental stability and protection of the hill ecosystem.

Experts call for scientific investigation

Social activist Manoj Kumar Das from Dhandamunda said the changes in water behaviour require urgent scientific investigation.

According to him, the Gandhamardan hills have stood for thousands of years on the border of Balangir and Bargarh districts and are known for their association with mythology, history, religion, Ayurveda tourism and biodiversity.

He noted that over the last three to four years, intense rainfall has often caused streams to overflow suddenly, sending muddy water into irrigation structures and causing flood-like conditions.

Some locals attribute the phenomenon to cloudburst-like rainfall, while others suspect environmental degradation.

Possible environmental causes

Experts and residents have suggested several possible reasons for the changes. These include the declining water retention capacity of bauxite deposits in the hills, large-scale tree felling, and the collapse of natural systems that once regulated water flow.

Balabhadra Dash, principal of Harishankar College, said that if the situation continues unchecked, it could even increase the risk of landslides in the future.

Environmentalists have urged authorities and geologists to conduct detailed studies to identify the exact cause and ensure the protection of the fragile ecosystem of the Gandhamardan hills.