Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 8: Dead and semi-conscious fish were found along the banks and in the waters of the Phalguni river in Bengre, Sultan Battery and Bokkapatna areas within the city limits on Saturday, raising concerns over increasing river pollution.

Local fishermen noticed the dead fish while heading out for fishing in their boats early in the morning. They suspect that the fish may have died due to chemically contaminated water.

An embankment has been constructed across the river for the ongoing bridge project between Bengre and Sultan Battery, and its removal is currently underway following the onset of the monsoon. For the past four to five months, water had remained stagnant from the embankment site up to the Maravoor dam due to the obstruction.

During the summer months, polluted discharge from industries, stormwater drains and sewage from the municipal corporation’s sewage treatment plant (STP) had accumulated in the stagnant stretch, turning the water black and heavily contaminated.

With rainfall over the last two days, water flow has resumed in the river. Simultaneously, the embankment removal work has allowed water to flow downstream. Fishermen said that fish in the river moved upstream after the arrival of fresh water. However, the presence of chemical contaminants in the water is believed to have made it difficult for the fish to breathe, leaving many in a semi-conscious state and causing the death of some.

Fish deaths had earlier been reported during the summer when water levels were low in areas such as Kuloor, Baikampady, Jokatte and Maravoor. However, this is the first time that fish deaths have been witnessed in the Bengre and Battery regions.

Fishermen suspect chemical contamination in the river, while Pollution Control Board officials attribute the worsening condition to stagnant polluted water caused by an embankment constructed for a bridge project. Authorities said the river has become heavily contaminated due to the discharge of sewage and other pollutants, and action has already been initiated against officials responsible for allowing untreated wastewater into the river.