Residents of Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar district were confronted with a distressing sight on Sunday evening as hundreds of dead fish were found floating on the surface of the Begul river, amidst large patches of toxic foam. The incident, suspected to be caused by the illegal dumping of poisonous chemicals, has triggered outrage and serious concerns over environmental degradation and public health.
Scene of Ecological Disaster
The banks of the Begul river were littered with dead fish, and a thick, toxic foam covered a significant stretch of the water body. Local social activist Sushil Gava directly blamed industrial units operating in the Pantnagar SIDCUL area for the long-term release of industrial effluents, pesticides, and other hazardous substances into the river. According to Gava, this latest incident has contaminated a 300–400 meter stretch of the Begul river.
Authorities Absent, Public Health at Risk
Compounding the crisis was the notable absence of district authorities at the site in Rudrapur, the district headquarters, for hours after the discovery. In this vacuum of supervision, a worrying scene unfolded as people were seen gathering the dead fish to take home for consumption. Environmental and health experts immediately sounded the alarm, warning that eating fish killed by chemical contamination can have severe, even fatal, consequences.
This is not an isolated event. The poisoning mirrors a similar tragedy earlier this year in the Kalyani river during Chhath festivities, where hundreds of fish also perished. Despite assurances of a probe and strict action from the district administration and the state pollution control board at that time, no concrete outcome was seen. Locals argue that this lack of punitive action has only emboldened those who harm the environment.
Experts Warn of Long-Term Ecological Damage
Environmental expert Ramesh Lal highlighted the grave threat such repeated poisonings pose to the region's ecological balance. "Apart from wiping out aquatic life, such contamination can severely affect groundwater, livestock and agriculture," he warned. The contamination of a river system has a cascading effect, potentially impacting drinking water sources and soil health over a wide area.
When contacted, Additional District Magistrate Pankaj Upadhyay stated that water samples have been collected from the river for testing. He assured that a detailed investigation will be conducted. "Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty," Upadhyay added. However, residents await tangible action, hoping this promise does not fade like the previous ones.
