Lalit MohanNangal (Ropar), November 6
While the impact of the breach in the dyke of the Ropar thermal plant on the ecology is still being studied by experts, in another incident, which is an indicator of pollution in the Sutlej, seed fish perished near Bela Dhiani village, about 3 km from Nangal. Fishermen have reported the death of seed fish in about 2 km stretch of the river near their village.
Villagers told this correspondent that small fish started perishing yesterday morning. A fisherman, Rachan Singh, said the seed fish shook violently before perishing. He said about 1 quintal seed fish perished around their village, which would adversely affect his livelihood. Villagers collected dead fish on the banks of the river.
They said the dead fish had not been supplied in the market. However, villagers had collected the dead fish for their own consumption. Besides, the local and migratory birds were seen feeding on the dead seed fish.
Sources said the seed fish might have perished due to reduced content of dissolved oxygen in the river waters.
Near Bela Dhiani village, industrial effluent of National Fertilisers Ltd and Punjab Alkalis and Chemical Ltd enters the river. Besides, the sewage of the Nangal municipal council is thrown into the river after treatment.
The DGM (Technical Services) of the NFL, Mr A.J.S. Kohli, who monitors the effluent contents of the Nangal plant, ruled out the possibility of the company’s effluent causing the death of fish. He said after fish died in the Sutlej in 2001, the NFL had further upgraded its pollution-control measures.
The effluent from the Nangal plant was monitored online and any deviation from the minimum standards was noticed immediately. No deviation in effluent reading was noticed in the recent past that could link the perishing of the fish to the NFL, he said.
Earlier, fish perished on a large scale in same area of the Sutlej in December, 2001. At that time even the birds that fed on the dead fish also perished. After the matter was reported in The Tribune, The Punjab and Haryana High Court, taking a suo motu notice, ordered an inquiry into the incident. The inquiry into the death of fish was conducted by the ADC, Ropar, Mr Krishan Kumar.
Mr Krishan Kumar, in his report submitted to the high court, indicted the NFL authorities for the death. The matter is still pending before the high court.
The Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, Ms Seema Jain, said a team of the Fisheries Department was being sent to inquire into the cause of the death of the fish.
