Paradip: A joint team of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), fisheries department and Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) conducted a probe into the death of fish in river Bata near Balijhara here Wednesday.
The 12-member team reached the riverbank and collected samples of dead fish, water and soil for examination. Their visit comes five days after the incident.
The team consisted of chief scientist of CIFA Priyabrata Swain, researcher Kishore Chandra Pani, deputy director of fisheries Basant Das, ADF Biraja Prasanna Mohapatra, fishery officer Madhumani Samal and others.
Preliminary inquiries suggested that the fish might have died due to pollution.
However, an expert team of CIFA rejected the claim of fishery and OSPCB officials that a fall in oxygen level in the river was the reason behind the deaths. The CIFA team said the river water has changed following rainfall and it will take at least five days to confirm the toxicity level in the water.
Sources said the fish in the river were found fluttering June 4 but were found floating dead the same afternoon.
The fish deaths continued for two days. Quintals of fish perished. The stench emanated from the dead fish made it unbearable for residents of Balijahra slum.
Acting on their complaints, Paradip civic body officials buried the dead fish. While locals termed it as an indication of climate change, some blamed it on rampant discharge of industrial waste into the river.
Bata is an ancient river which surrounds Balijhara slum in Paradip. However, rapid industrialisation and population growth have reduced its width significantly. Local fishermen use the river for fish farming.
Earlier, researcher Pani had said ammonia content is higher in the river than the required level. He had then said discharge of industrial waste was a possible reason behind the fish deaths. PNN