Mysterious fish deaths in SRSP continue

Nizamabad: As many as 15 to 20 tonnes of fish perished mysteriously in Sriramsagar project for the past one week. Especially catla (botchee) fish, weighing between one kg to five kg are dying.

The fisheries department called in experts from Kakinada and West Bengal to study the phenomenon. But the cause of death is yet to be established. Earlier, it was suspected that the fish might have died due to reduction of oxygen levels in the project waters.

Compared to this year, the water level was less in the project last year and reports of fish death was not reported. 51 lakh fish seed, supplied on 100 per cent subsidy, were released into the project waters. Dead fish are being washed ashore and dead fish were found floating in the project waters for the past one month.

The officials of fisheries institute at Kakinada suspected reduction in oxygen level in the project waters as the cause of fish death. The oxygen level measured on the surface of water is 3 ppm (parts per million), while the oxygen level beneath the surface was said to be 2.8 ppm.

The scientists found organic waste in the project waters besides two species of bacteria. On account of heavy rains during rainy season last year, the project received inflows of flood water from neighbouring Maharashtra State. The flood water carried with it toxic wastes released into the river water by factories.

The scientists, who have submitted their preliminary reports, are yet to submit a final report on the issue. A molasses factory on the Telangana-Maharashtra border is also found to be discharging its effluents into the river.

The exact reason for the death of fish could not be ascertained. If the same situation is to continue, all fish in the river would face extinction, fishermen worried.It was high-time the fisheries department personnel identified the cause for the death of fish and find a solution to the death of fish in the project.

By Panchareddy Srikanth