Many fishes were reportedly found dead in Lukha River in East Jaiñtia Hills district today.
Villagers residing along the river bank informed that hundreds of fishes were found dead this morning and were seen floating on the surface of the contaminated river water.
Locals said the first rainfall of a season and dumping of fly ash, coal and limestone wastes in the river by cement factories has led to the death of the fishes.
The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Narpuh circle visited the river and said the indiscriminate dumping of waste is a cause of concern as the river gets contaminated and fishes also perish with the onset of the first rain.
Circle president K.S.Suchiang said they will lodge a complaint with the district administration to find out the cause.
Meanwhile, the KSU has urged residents not to consume the fishes as they could be hazardous to health.
It may be mentioned that the district administration through the District Mineral Funding Trust had launched a project for rejuvenation of the river at Rs 2.5 crore.
Delhi-based Trinity Impex International was entrusted with the pilot project of treating the water at the river, to improve its pH value through use of micro-green algae so that the river returns to its pristine glory.
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board had carried out a detailed scientific study in 2007 after the river turned blue. The report had cited “unscientific coal mining” as the reason behind the death of fishes.
