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Massive fish deaths in a Periyar river tributary were due to dangerous levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and unidentified toxins in the water, said a report from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), which investigated the issue.
Massive fish death happened in a tributary of the Periyar near Pathalam in Ernakulam district. According to the report, detailed chemical test results are required to know how and from where such a large quantity of chemicals reached the water in Periyar. The authorities have informed that the preliminary investigation report has been submitted and further investigation is required. Apart from the presence of chemicals, the committee also found that the oxygen level in the water was not very low. Official sources said that the unidentified toxins, which were present in the water at high levels needed to be traced. "There is something wrong with the state pollution control board's report because they couldn't detect the presence of chemicals and toxins in water. They didn't have a credible data set to conduct the tests to identify the presence of chemicals. They are at lapse here. They didn't monitor the pollution discharge to the river," the source said. At the same time, the report submitted by the State Pollution Control Board on fish farming states that the presence of chemical pollution has not been detected and the reason for the death of the fish is the low oxygen level. The report based on the lab test results has been forwarded to the Pollution Control Board Sub-Collector. The calculation of the compensation for fish farmers by the Department of Fisheries is almost complete. The fish farmers have filed a complaint at the police stations seeking legal recourse for compensation. Earlier, the police had registered a case in the mass fish killing. (ANI)
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