Scores of dead fish were found floating on the Dighalipukhuri tank in Guwahati on June 27.
Following the detection of many dead fish floating on the water and reporting of the incident in the media, minister for fisheries, Parimal Suklabaidya directed the officials of the department to visit the site and ascertain the cause behind the mass deaths of fish.
Officials of the department, after examination of the collected samples of the dead fish and the Dighalipukhuri waterbody, found that dissolved oxygen depletion in the tank coupled with high organic load were the causes behind the deaths.
“Fish mortality was due to sudden dip in oxygen level and high organic load in the tank. Departmental officers after examination found deaths of fish not due to poisoning but environmental degradation,” said Suklabaidya.
The department, as a short-term measure, increased the oxygen level in water by showering water through pump and creating wave action through mechanised boats.
