Pollution in rivulet threatens survival of aquatic animals in Pathsala

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2024

Unabated disposal of plastic by locals at the ‘Bisarnala Jan’ at Pathsala in Lower Assam’s Bajali district has killed many fish in the water body for the second time at a time when water pollution has become a rising concern for the world community.

A large number of dead fish were found floating in the water body since Thursday night causing concern for environmental organisations.

The Bisarnaala Jan is a small rivulet flowing through Pathsala town, 150 metres away from the Pathsala Municipality Board (PMB). 

Residents have been consistently disposing of garbage and non-biodegradable waste in Bisarnala Jan, effectively transforming it into a dumping site.

This activity poses a significant environmental threat to the surrounding area due to the non-biodegradable nature of the waste, leading to foul odours and pollution in the vicinity of the water body. The residents are concerned about the potential spread of diseases from decomposing fish. 

“If the water is contaminated, animals and birds that rely on the rivulet for drinking water could perish,” said a resident.

Jadab Chanda Roy, a senior citizen of the locality, said, “We already complained to the authority to clean the canal, but there was no response. Pathsala Municipality Board unfortunately failed to control it.”

Dhritiman Das, general secretary of Bhattadev University, “Bisarnaala Jan which is adjacent to the institution. Some people dump waste material and plastic at the canal which becomes a threat to the birds and animals. Every time bad smell came from the canal. The concerned authority should look into the matter.”

In April 2022, such an incident occurred in Upper Assam’s Dikhow River in Sivasagar district in which a large number of fish was spotted floating on the surface of the river water.