Barpeta: Dead fish found floating in riverlut after oxygen level drops due to plastic waste

Dead fish have been discovered floating in the waters raising concerns about plastic pollution in Pathsala area for the second time . Despite calls from Prime Minister Modi for India to become free from single-use plastic, locals' unabated disposal of plastic waste at the 'Bissarnala Jan' in Pathsala has led to the demise of numerous fish in the water body.

The 'Bissarnala Jan,' a small rivulet flowing through Pathsala town situated merely 150 meters away from the Pathsala Municipality Board has become a scene of environmental degradation due to consistent dumping of garbage and waste materials by a section of the populace. The area, once revered for hosting statues of Ashyut Lakhar the father of mobile theater and Ratan Lahkar, founder of Kohinoor Theatre has now transformed into a dumping ground for non-biodegradable waste.

Residents have expressed concerns over the foul smell emanating from the area as most of the waste materials thrown into the rivulet are non-biodegradable. Additionally, animals, including cattle rely on this water source for hydration raising fears of potential diseases spreading from the rotting fish. Nature enthusiasts, angered by the incident, demand punitive action against those responsible for poisoning the water body.

Despite these alarming developments, the Pathsala Municipality Board has failed to effectively address the issue exacerbating concerns among locals. Jadab Chanda Roy, a senior citizen from Pathsala, highlighted the challenge of identifying individuals responsible for plastic disposal, noting that the clandestine nature of such actions makes it difficult to apprehend culprits. He emphasized the urgent need for measures such as CCTV surveillance to curb plastic pollution and protect aquatic life in the region.

In the face of mounting environmental threats and public outcry, concerted efforts are required from both authorities and the community to combat plastic pollution and safeguard the well-being of ecosystems in Pathsala.