Mass Fish Death in Kerala’s Periyar River Triggers Protest Against Pollution

Thiruvananthapuram: Farmers and fishermen staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday following the discovery of a large number of dead fish floating in the Periyar river on Wednesday in the Kochi area of Kerala.

They alleged that the incident was caused by the illegal dumping of chemical waste from nearby factories. Fish farmers involved in cage pisciculture, reported substantial losses due to the mass fish deaths.

The dead fish were found in significant numbers in fish farms across Varapuzha, Kadamakkudy, and Cheranalloor panchayats since Tuesday.

Following widespread protests, the district collector directed the state Pollution Control Board to urgently investigate the cause of the fish deaths.

The Kerala government also formed a special committee under the aegis of Fort Kochi Sub-Collector to investigate the matter and submit a report within a week.

Pollution Control Board officials collected samples of water and dead fish from the incident site and sent them to the laboratory of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies for examination.