Large number of fish deaths in Yamuna cause alarm
AGRA : Thousands of fish were found dead in the Yamuna at the ghats of Vrindavan on Friday and Saturday, ringing alarm bells in the twin pilgrim towns of Mathura and Vrindavan.
The district administration blamed the release of 3000 cusec of allegedly contaminated water from the Okhla barrage near Delhi for the situation. But an environmentalist in Mathura said the discharge of untreated industrial affluents caused a fall in the level of dissolved oxygen and led to the death of the fish.
There were reports about con- taminated water in the Yamuna since Thursday but the large number of fish deaths caused panic on Friday and the situation worsened on Saturday. Devotees found it difficult to conduct ritu- als at Kesi ghat in Vrindavan.
Environmentalist Gopeshwar Chaturvedi said, “The situation has deteriorated at a time when Mathura is set to host the festival of ‘Yam Dutiya’ after Diwali when lakhs of devotees will be at Vishram Ghat. Their sentiments will be hurt if they are unable to take a holy dip.”Chaturvedi had filed writs on the status of the Yamuna in various courts, including the high court.“The administration is closing its eyes towards rising pollution in Yamuna. There are many drains and industries along the Yamuna riverbank. Untreated waste is being added to the river and this continues all along its course in Haryana and UP as it reaches Vrindavan,” said Chaturvedi. He said the ghats at Vrindavan were the worst affected.
“The level of dissolved oxygen is falling to zero, making it tough for aquatic life to survive and fish are worst affected. A large number of fish lying dead are visible all along the Yamuna at various ghats, including Jugal Ghat, Kesi Ghat and Vishram Ghat,” he said.
Mathura district magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra said, “The water released from Okhla Barrage was found to be contaminated and oily in nature. It seems to have caused the damage.” “We have urged the authorities at Okhla Barrage not to release any more such water. Further, efforts are on to have Ganga water to dilute the contamination and (we) will be in position to mention its availability by Sunday,” he said.The DM was also pinning hopes on the release of cleaner water from the Hathini Kund dam in Haryana to check the contamination. “The state government has been apprised of the situation and senior officials of the irrigation department from Lucknow will visit Mathura soon,” the district magistrate said.
‘The plight of Yamuna is an issue in every election but nothing seems to be done after the polls,” said Radhey Mohan, a Vrindavan resident.