Dead fish along the Govari rivulet near Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, June 5: The Govari rivulet, meandering through this district headquarters township, has turned into a burial ground for aquatic species, mainly fish, because of a suspected release of toxic substances by a section of the inland fishermen.

Thousands of fishes and other aquatic species were found floating along the one-kilometre-stretch of the rivulet. The lifeless species, undergoing decomposition, were emanating stench smell. Officials believed that use of toxic chemicals by greedy fishermen to maximise their catch has led to the death of the aquatic species.

“The release of toxic substances into the water body and consequent death of fish is being probed into. We have sought the assistance of police for nabbing the suspected fishermen who perpetrated the act,” said Kendrapara’s collector Pradipta Kumar Patnaik.

It is definitely a handiwork of a section of unscrupulous fishermen. The water samples and bloated fishes were put under test. There is visible presence of toxic materials that have triggered the death. The administration has asked the district police to nab the groups of fishermen who were resorting to nefarious activities of this nature, he said.

“A poisonous insecticide is being sprinkled into water bodies. It causes debilitating effect on the aquatic animals. They float motionless after getting asphyxiated. This practice is being reported from various places of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur district,” said Rabi Narayan Pattnaik, assistant director of fisheries department.

“They become an easy prey for fishermen who catch them in large numbers without putting in much effort. But it is a dangerous practice as it is leading to the depletion of indigenous fish species. In the long run, the fishermen communities will be the worst sufferers of this act. Because of this unethical practice, several indigenous freshwater species are now on the verge of extinction in the state,” said Pattnaik.

Indigenous inland fish species like Kala-bainsi, Mahanad-mahaseer, todi, and thantia (Xenetodon) were abundantly available till a few years ago.

Now, these species are facing threats of extinction owing to discharge of toxic substances into water bodies. These indigenous species are delicate and sensitive. They are exceedingly vulnerable to toxicity in water, he said.

“Apart from the greedy fishermen, Kendrapara Municipality is equally responsible for depletion of fish in Govari rivulet. There is indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage water into the rivulet by the municipality. The sewage discharge points are connected to the rivulet, severely polluting the water body,” said Bijoy Krushna Sahu, former chairman, Kendrapara Municipality.