E-Paper
Fish dying in their home
AN ALARMING dip in the level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in Gomti waters had many fish breathe their last on Monday morning. Done in by the DO-dip from mandatory 4 mg per litre to 1 mg per litre, the fish started swimming to the surface to inhale the elixir of life. Few that stretched their gills to the limit on the surface were dead with fishermen and anxious onlookers making a desperate dive for them.
AN ALARMING dip in the level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in Gomti waters had many fish breathe their last on Monday morning. Done in by the DO-dip from mandatory 4 mg per litre to 1 mg per litre, the fish started swimming to the surface to inhale the elixir of life. Few that stretched their gills to the limit on the surface were dead with fishermen and anxious onlookers making a desperate dive for them.
The official explanation came from UPPCB’s KK Sharma. “Less rain coupled with excess flow of domestic affluent and closure of Gomti barrage led to Gomti turning into a watery grave,” he told HT Live.
This is probably the third time in about nine months that the DO has dipped below the mandatory standard in the river. An inquiry has been ordered in the incident by the district magistrate.
PCB officials admit the situation could reoccur for the affluent treatment systems are not in place. “Roughly 400 mld of sewage flows into the river everyday. The treatment plant at Gaughat can treat only 40 mld. The problem occurred on Monday because a new bridge is being constructed near the barrage. Hence, water is released here for about one hour only. This led to an increase in pollution levels. The situation might occur again,” an official said.
Eyewitnesses said near the barrage the pollution level was so high that some fish that swam upstream later died near Nishatganj bridge. “Probably the DO level here was near zero. Shorn of all oxygen, the water turned toxic for aquatic animals,” an official said.
The regional officer, PCB, SR Sachan said from Daliganj bridge till the barrage several canals flow into the river. Hence, the oxygen level here is generally low. On Sunday-Monday the pollution rose to alarming level.
