Leachate from Kanjurmarg dumpyard killing fish in mangrove

Leachate from Mumbai’s Kanjurmarg dumpyard and stagnant water have killed fish over a two-hectare mangrove forests’ area an environmentalist group has said, filing complaints with various state bodies and the Bombay high court-appointed wetland grievance redressal committee.

Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishthan (SEAP) said hundreds of dead fish were floating in and along the edges of the creek on Tuesday. “The natural tidal flow of this mangrove stretch seems to have been blocked resulting in stagnant water. As a result, there is no fresh supply of tidewater affecting the entire biodiversity of this area.” SEAP chief Nandkumar Pawar informed The Hindustan Times. Untreated toxic chemicals drained from the dumping ground have been killing fish after regular intervals, Mr Pawar said.

Mangrove Cell range forest officer Nathuram Kokare said an investigation into the matter would be undertaken.

Picture Credit: For representational purposes only. Mangroves in Kannur, India, CC BY-SA 3.0