Assam: Sudden fish deaths in Bhogdoi River, on-site investigation conducted

A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT: Following reports of sudden fish deaths in the Bhogdoi River, an on-site investigation was conducted by officials from the District Fisheries Development Office (DFDO), to ascertain the cause of death.

District Fisheries Officer Pratul Deka said that water samples were collected and tested for key quality parameters including pH, ammonia, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate. The results revealed that while ammonia, DO, and nitrate levels remained within normal limits, the pH was found to be significantly low, indicating an acidic condition in the river.

“This acidic nature of the water is suspected to be a major contributing factor to the fish mortality, as low pH levels can adversely impact fish health by damaging gills and disrupting physiological functions,” Deka said.

DFDO officials recommended further monitoring and investigation to identify the source of the acidification and prevent future occurrences, he added. The Fisheries Officer further said that the department here did not have the facilities for chemical or toxicological tests of the fish viscera which would have to be sent to Kolkata.

The officer stated that extreme pollution of the Bhogdoi River was one of the causes for the fish deaths. He said that despite periodic cleaning of the river by the administration, people residing by the side of the embankment always threw their waste into the river, which was a cause for the extreme pollution.

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