KOLHAPUR: Incidents of fish death have been reported in the Panchaganga river, downstream of the textile town of Ichalkaranji.
A couple of months ago, fish deaths were reported downstream of the Kolhapur city. Chemical analysis and field visit of a sugar factory near Kasba Bawda revealed that it was responsible for releasing untreated waste water into the river.
Earlier, activists from Ichalkaranji and Shirol taluka had cautioned the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials that since the river is getting covered by extensive growth of water hyacinth, fish deaths may occur sooner or later.
However, their warnings had fallen on deaf years.
Vishwas Balighate, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana worker and environmental activist, said, “We repeatedly called the pollution board officials requesting them to stop the release of pollutants from the sizing and processing textile units of Ichalkaranji into Kala Odha and later into the Panchaganga river. Despite chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s standing orders to act against pollution-causing factories, no action was taken. Also, we are demanding them to hold monthly meetings to control pollution as per the CM’s directions, but no such meeting was scheduled in the last two years. We will once again approach the state government to take action against the errant pollution board officials and the polluters.”
The rush was seen at sites where the dead fish were found floating. Locals claimed that the river water at Shirdon bridge had turned black and stinky since the last few days.
