Fish dying in Bein, Seechewal comes to rescue, blames Govt

Kapurthala Apr 26 (UNI) Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, a renowned environmentalist engaged in cleaning the Holy Kali Bein, today lashed out at the government for its failure to stop flow of harmful industrial effluents in the river due to which a number of fish have perished.

Baba Seechewal, who rushed with his followers to Holy Bein at Kanjali picnic spot on hearing that dead fish was seen floating in the rivulet, managed to lift the gates of Kanjli bridge to increase the flow of water for the survival of remaining fish and said he would also help in clearing the spot emanating foul smell.

Baba demanded immediate ban on the flowing of affluent and sullage water flowing in the holy Bein for the sake of marines and the sanctity of the rivulet.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Fisheries Suniti Kumar, when contacted said fish in between the new and old bridge in the rivulet had died due to over-population and scarcity of water as gate valves of the bridge are closed.

He also blamed the hyacinth growth near the new bridge as one of the reasons for creating deficiency of oxygen in the water resulting in the death of fish. He said the population fish had increased in the bein as fishing was banned on the demand of Baba Seechewal.

DC J.M.Balamurugan claimed that the quality of water was good despite the flowing of dirty water in the Bein and he had now ordered the release of water from the Kanjali bridge to save the marines. He also supported Mr Kumar's view that the fish died due to over population and not due to contaminateation of water.

Meanwhile people of the near by villages have started taking out the dead fish from the rivulet .

UNI