‘HIGH POLLUTION IN RIVERS POSING THREAT TO AQUATIC LIFE’

KANPUR : Pollution in rivers has reached an alarming level and is adversely affecting aquatic life, according to director of zoological survey of India (ZSI) Kailash Chandra.

Inaugurating a two-day seminar on environment, health and biosciences at the Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Chandra said heavy pollution in Ganga and Yamuna had led to depletion of aquatic life.

“Fishes are developing tumours and its consumption may cause cancer in human beings,” he said.

Chandra added in the last two decades, almost all the rivers had become highly polluted and several species were facing threat of extinction.

“Frogs, ducks and tortoise are the worst affected. Earlier, there used to be more than 300 aquatic species in these rivers but only 200 are left. Many of them are in the first stage of extinction,” he added.

He said according to a recent study, out of total number of 683 aquatic species found in Indian rivers, 76 aquatic have been completely depleted and about 209 were likely to face extinction within the next 1-2 years.

“Extinction of aquatic life will create environmental imbalance. ZSI scientists are making efforts to create species of insects which will help in destroying plastic waste to check pollution,” he added.

› According to a recent study, out of total number of 683 aquatic species found in Indian rivers, 76 aquatic have been completely depleted and about 209 were likely to face extinction within the next 1-2 years KAILASH CHANDRA, director of ZSI