Phalguni contamination spells doom for fish, misery for residents

Residents say untreated effluents being let into the rivulets joining the Phalguni

The water in the downstream of the newly opened Maravoor vented dam has turned black and has lead to death of fish and other aquatic organisms.

With the Phalguni water on the downstream of the Malavoor vented dam turning black, it has led to the death of fish and other aquatic species, causing concern among residents living in the downstream.

Residents have also complained of water in open wells getting polluted.

The Hindu had in February reported in these pages, the water downstream the dam turning black.

Since no fresh water was let out from the Malavoor dam, it was reported that the contamination has become concentrated in the downstream

A team of reporters who visited the Maravoor vented dam found fishes dead near the vents of dam towards the downstream of the Phalguni.

Titus D’Souza, a resident of Padushedde Kudru, adjoining the vented dam, told reporters that the death of fish and other aquatic species was seen since the last one week.

“I have lived for over five decades in this area. I have never seen such deterioration in condition of water.”

Mr. D’Souza said that the stench of the dead fish was becoming unbearable.

Hameer Peera, who resides near Peera Masjid in Kenjar which is about a kilometre from the vented dam, said that fish was found dead by the river bank on Tuesday.

Mr. Peera said that the contamination of water was because of untreated effluents being let into the rivulets joining the Phalguni.

“The downstream gets polluted often. But this is first time the situation has aggravated,” he said.

Elvita, a resident of Thokur, said that the pollution of the river has made it difficult for residents living downstream to make use of water from the open wells, which is the only source of drinking water.

“The water has a strange smell and an oil layer appears on the top as it drawn from the well. We need to boil water and filter it before using it to drink.”

Rice prepared using this water in the morning does not last till noon, she added.

Shashidhar Shetty from National Environment Care Foundation said that the district administration should forthwith take action to address pollution of water.

“If no action is taken within next 24 hours, residents will be forced to launch an agitation,” he said.