The river Daya is that historical river in the bank of which the famous Kalinga war was fought in the year 261B.C.betweenthe Maurya Empire Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. The consequence of that battle changed the cruel king Ashok to a spiritual ruler. With the passage of time a number of religious and culture places of importance developed in the banks of this sacred river. Apart from religious and cultural importance thousands of villages living in both sides of the river are very much dependent on it for their vital needs like drinking water, agricultural use, fishing, navigation and communication.

The development of urbanization in the vicinity of the river Daya has spoiled its purity and sanctity. The water of Daya has become polluted with highly toxic elements coming from the industrial and urban outlets of Bhubaneswar city. The authority of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) through 11 numbers of major drains has been mercilessly pouring almost all the dirty water of the city in to the river without any water treatment, This is resulting in sever adverse impact on human being, plant, animal and aquatic lives depending on the water of river Daya. Looking at the gravity of the situation KAPOCH made a rapid assessment of the situation by discussing with community members and other stakeholders concerned with the river. In order to sensitize the stakeholders on the findings of the study and to publicize the study findings, a one day workshop was organized on 11th November 2016 at Hotel Kalinga Ashok , Bhubanswar. The participants pertaining to diverse walk of life such as environmentalist, academia, social and political leaders, civil society organizations, journalists, the office bearers of the BMC and most importantly the community members suffering due to the hazards presented their valuable suggestions. After long discussion some consensual agenda emerged for taking up further action to save the river from this man made menace.