Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru 

Mangaluru, Jun 9: Several dead fishes were found floating due to the chemical content released by MRPL and other companies to the water stream at Kayarkatte near Permude. In addition, some snakes also have died for the same reason.

Locals of Permude are agitated by the huge amount chemical content that has been released to the stream which made the fishes die in huge numbers.

When the city is facing severe water crisis, close to 15 houses are dependent on this water stream as they use this water for daily use for washing clothes, plantations, cow bathing and others. Due to the chemical content left in the water, the water has turned blackish colour and huge amount of chemical content is gathered in the water stretch. 

Large numbers of fishes have died and are floating in the water stream. Locals also allege that water smells bad due to the chemical and also they suffer from breathing problem. In addition, if they step into the water, they suffer from itching problem due to the chemical content in the water.

The pipe coming from the MRPL is connected to the water stream where the chemical contents are released. Since two days locals are in pathetic state with foul smell of chemicals, which has also made this water source unfit for use.

Residents have brought this to the notice of local gram panchayat and have taken the water samples. Even two wells, which are adjacent to the water stream, are polluted and the locals are scared of using it for drinking purpose.

Speaking to Daijiworld, local resident Thukaram said, "From the last two days we are facing this problem, this water has been used for washing clothes and bathing. We also take this water to our houses. SEZ companies have released high chemical content to the water stream and have made this water not fit for use. They are letting out chemical contents to this stream three times in a day. We have brought this to the notice of panchayat and have collected the samples. Fishes in large numbers have also died and are floating in the stream.”

Another local resident, Raghavendra Rao said, "Fishes are floating dead in this water stream because of the chemical content released by SEZ companies. We are also facing breathing problem because of the foul smell of the chemicals and also itching problem.”

Chaya, another local resident, said, "Chemical content is gathered in the water which has made the fishes die and float in this stream. People are affected by the smell of the chemicals and water has turned to blackish. We are not getting water from the panchayat due to the present water crisis, so we are dependent on this stream for water for our daily use.”

Environmentalist Dinesh Holla said, "It is a tragedy that we Mangalureans are facing these problems with the industries. People have no concern about water and environment and they encourage these kinds of industries to come up which has serious impact on environment and health. People around these industries suffer a lot with breathing problem and other health issues, But still people prefer industries to come up as they do not have seriousness about the environment.”