The environmental crisis at Mala lake intensified on Sunday as more dead fish surfaced, creating a foul stench from decomposition that has overwhelmed the residential area. As the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) scrambled to clear the carcasses, the Goa State Pollution Con trol Board (GSPCB) launched an inves tigation into the mass fish mortality. Preliminary findings point toward a lethal drop in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels potentially caused by industrial effluents or the abrupt bunding of the lake waters.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Dr Mohan Girap, Scientist-C at GSPCB said, “Mala lake water was sampled by our Board staff yesterday evening (Saturday). Analysis of, basic parameters should, be ready by tomorrow.” Explaining the possible cause, he said, “Prima facie, it appears that a sudden decrease or very low Dis solved Oxygen (DO) in the lake water may be a cause for the mass death of fish.” ‘The cause for this sudden DO may be either due to the influx or dumping of industrial effluent or the abrupt bund ing of the Mala Lake portion (where fish are present) which may result in an anoxic condition in the water column over time. Test results will substantiate this further,” he said.
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When asked whether there is any immediate cause for public concern, he said, “It does not appear so at this junc ture. It must be due to a decreased concentration of DO con tent in waters. Test results will substantiate this further.” Authorities are expected to release detailed findings af ter the completion of water analysis, even as residents con tinue to demand swift action to restore the lake’s health and prevent further deterioration. Menino Da Cruz, a local resident said, “A similar incident occurred earlier, but it was not of this stature. It once hap pened in 2011, and the Fisheries Department carried out an inspection. But this time it appears to be more serious. There is a sewerage line nearby, so the oxygen has gone down. It appears that water from the gutter has also gone into the lake. It has become unhealthy and unhygienic. It is very dangerous.
The Fisheries Department must clean the water immediately. Some parts of the lake are being filled up with soil brought from somewhere else. This must stop. Mala which was one of the best areas of the city is deterio rating. Now it is turning into an urban slum area. The water has to be cleaned.” Another resident, Datta Palekar, said, “It has become difficult to breathe because of the foul smell emanating from the dead fish. We have closed our doors and windows since morning. There are many houses in the area and all of them have been affected. There is a sewage tank nearby. I do not know whether it is opened or not. The cause has to be found out. While some people from the Water Resources Department (WRD) have come, none of the officials from Health Department have visited so far.”
