Lakhs of fishes dead in Pavana

Lakhs of fishes dead in Pavana

Pune: For the second time, over one lakh fishes in Pavana river at Thergaon boat club, Chinchwad, were found dead recently by the Thergaon Social Foundation and World for Nature NGO of Pimpri Chinchwad, which works for wild animal rescue. 

Since there was a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tathawade and Thergaon, the sewage and agriculture water get mixed in the river water, resulting in the fishes dying, said Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

Founder member of the foundation Ganesh Bora said, “In March, some members of our foundation found that a huge bunch of Chilapi fish were floating over the water struggling to get oxygen. After a while, we saw that the fishes had reached the river bank and were dead. We started removing them from the river and informed the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Environment Department and MPCB.”

Founder of the NGO Subham Pandey said, “On May 24, members of the NGO went to the boat club and a similar incident had taken place, where over one lakh Chipali and mrigal carp, also known as the white carp, a species of ray-finned fish, were found dead. They informed me and I called up the members of the foundation. We then called up the concerned officials and they have assured to take measurable actions for the issue.”

A core member of the foundation, Rahul Sarode, said, “In March, when fishes were found dead, PCMC informed us that chemical water had been discharged directly from a laundry situated at Tathawade. MPCB then had fined PCMC Rs 5 lakh for not keeping a check on the situation.” 

When Sakal Times contacted PCMC, head of the Environment Department, Sanjay Kulkarni, said, “We cannot do anything over the issue. MPCB has sent closure notice to the laundry shop owner.”

Sub-Regional Officer of MPCB Kiran Hasabnis said, “As many as 27 villages have come under PCMC jurisdiction and they do not have any STP facility to treat the sewage and agriculture water. Along with it, there was no STP at Tathawade and Thergaon and untreated sewage water along with agriculture water was directly released into the river. PCMC was fined Rs 5 lakh for having broken sewage chambers.”

“In March, there was no toxic content mixed with the river water and fishes were found dead due to untreated sewage water. On May 25, I took the water samples at Thergaon and Tathawade area and will send it to lab testing on May 27. The results of the testing will decide the action to be taken on PCMC,” Hasabnis added.

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