Home / Environment / Sutlej Suffocates: Fish Die-Off Sparks Farmer Outrage
Sutlej Suffocates: Fish Die-Off Sparks Farmer Outrage
4 Apr
Summary
- Mass fish deaths reported on Sutlej river surface near Harike Headworks.
- Farmer leaders attribute deaths to industrial effluents and polluted water discharge.
- Wildlife authorities stated the incident is outside their immediate jurisdiction.
A disturbing video circulating online shows a large number of dead fish floating on the Sutlej River downstream of Harike Headworks in Ferozepur. Farmer leaders have expressed significant anger over the incident, directly attributing the mass fish deaths to oxygen depletion caused by industrial effluents and polluted water from Ludhiana's Buddha Nullah.
They are demanding swift action from the Punjab government to address the pollution. This grim event brings to mind a similar incident in 2018 where thousands of fish perished at the Beas-Satluj confluence, allegedly due to discharge from a liquor factory.
Wildlife authorities have, however, distanced themselves from the current situation. A wildlife range officer stated their jurisdiction extends only 500 meters downstream of Harike Headworks, and the affected village is not included. He confirmed no fish mortality was observed within their area, suggesting it might be a localized problem.
Farmer leaders like Sukh Gill of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Totewala) insist that factories dumping industrial effluent and toxic discharge from Buddha Nullah are the culprits. They warned of significant protests if the Punjab government fails to curb river pollution and take strict action against factory owners.
