Fisheries dept, pollution board inspect Mala lake after dead fish found floating

Panaji: Large quantities of dead fish are seen floating in the waters of Mala lake in Panaji since Saturday, leading to concerns among locals. After locals raised an alarm over the occurrence, the Goa State Pollution Control Board officials on Sunday collected samples of the lake for testing. Officials from the fisheries department also visited the site for an inspection.

“It would be oxygen depletion. Our officials went there today for a site inspection and the report is awaited. Once the reports come out from the GSPCB, the reasons may become clear,” said director of fisheries Shamila Monteiro.

Giant sea perch (chonak) and pearl spot (kalundar) were among the prized Goan fish varieties which were seen dead and floating in the river.

“Some boys had fished from the waters only a day earlier from the lake on Friday. On Saturday, we noticed that large quantities of fish have died and floating in the waters and more continue to come up by the hour. This is concerning, as this fish is consumed. There is a sluice gate used for fishing just some distance away. Imagine if the fish there is contaminated by this water and it is consumed by people,” said a local Dattaram Palekar.

Residents said they suspect that some miscreants have dumped some material into the water, contaminating it.

Officials said that this is not the first time that such an occurrence is witnessed in Mala lake and that similar situation had occurred in 2011.

“It seems to be due to oxygen depletion. The reasons could be many and it is difficult to point to the causes, unless a complete scientific investigation is carried out. It could be connected to the water quality, due to deterioration from sudden cause or could be that the deterioration over time has reached a point where it has suddenly peaked. But measures will be needed to depollute the waterbody accordingly,” said Goa State Biodiversity Board member secretary Pradip Sarmokadam.
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