Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Apr 24: Thousands of fish were found dead floating in River Netravati, near Nekkilaru in Sarapadi village. Huge quantities of dead fish were found deposited on the banks of the river opposite AMR Project’s dam in Shambhoor in the taluk.

Apparently, miscreants had used insecticide on the night of Sunday April 21 for getting a good catch of fish here. The insecticide has turned the river water poisonous. The fish deposit on the banks has begun to decompose, and a nauseous smell pervades the area. As the people of villages use river directly for various purposes, the incident has given rise to the threat of spreading infectious diseases. The farmers are also facing a predicament about the ill-effects of polluted water.

Locals have urged the concerned to keep a close watch on suspicious movement of unidentified persons on the river bank at night, as such incidents can perish fish species. The villagers, who have complained to the gram panchayat, have also urged the policemen and tahsildar to take preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.