Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 20: Fishermen who regularly undertake fishing activity in River Phalguni have been facing health problems since about a month. They claim that the moment they place their feet in the river between Boloor and Bengre, their feet start to itch. Thereafter, ulcers are formed in the legs. These ulcers rupture thereafter, after which blood oozes out. When this happens they cannot go fishing for a few days.

The fishermen say that chemicals released into the river by industries are harming them. They have to stand in water for hours. The skin of their legs turn red and then ulcers are formed. Because of extreme itching, the ulcers worsen, and when this happens, the fishermen cannot enter the river.

Bengre village alone has over 200 country boats and over a thousand people are dependent on fishing for a living. Now, there are ulcers in the legs of most of the fishermen. Normally there are four to five persons in a boat. If even a couple of them develop any health problem, the others cannot go fishing and therefore lose their livelihood. They are now worried how to continue with fishing, how to earn the daily bread, and how to repay loans.

Rajesh, a country boat fisherman from Bengre says that the people are unable to undertake fishing as chemicals are released into the river. He has urged the administration to take serious note of the itching and ulcers the fishermen suffer in the river.